We construct optical beams in free space with robust skyrmionic structures their polarization fields, both the electric spin vector for near-circular fields and direction near-linear Bloch (spiral) N\'eel (hedgehog) textures. These are made possible by spin-orbit coupling of tightly-focused nonparaxial optics as applied to higher-order Full-Poincar\'e beams, well standing-wave configurations co...

A simple introduction to physics of CMBR polarization and the Faraday rotation of the latter in cosmic magnetic field is presented. The content of the lecture is the following: 1. Description of polarization of photons. 2. Polarization field of CMBR. 3. Faraday effect. 4. Cosmic magnetic fields. 5. Faraday rotation of CMBR polarization.