  We show how the phase profile of a distribution of topological charges (TC)
of an optical vortex (OV) can be described by a potential analogous to the
Coulomb's potential for a distribution of electric charges in two-dimensional
electrostatics. From what we call the Topological Potential (TP), the
properties of TC multipoles and a 2D radial distribution were analyzed. The TC
multipoles have a transverse profile that is topologically stable under
propagation and may be exploited in optical communications; on the other hand,
the 2D distributions can be used to tune the transverse forces in optical
tweezers. Considering the analogies with the electrostatics formalism, it is
also expected that the TP allows the tailoring of OV for specific applications.
