The full vector properties of the optical parameters of cylindrical vector vortex beam (CVVB) propagating in free space, such as the momentum (
P), spin angular momentum (SAM), transverse-type spin angular momentum (t-SAM), longitudinal-type spin angular momentum (l-SAM), and light field are characterized by using spin-momentum relation in this work. The research results show that
P has
x-,
y-, and
z- component, SAM has
x- and
y- components, but no
z-component; t-SAM and l-SAM both have components which are parallel and perpendicular to the optical axis when the topological charge
m is not 0; t-SAM has a longitudinal component which is related to the helical trajectory of photons; l-SAM has a transverse component in free space. Except for the angularly polarized vortex beam (APVB), which has no longitudinal field when the topological charge
m is 0, both radially polarized vortex beam (RPVB) and APVB have longitudinal fields in free space. The vectorial characteristic of the angular momentum of CVVB in free space can provide a theoretical basis for analyzing the transmission of structured beams in different media.