In the present work an attempt is made to construct the Navier vector funct
ions in spheroidal geometry in a form convenient for the solution of bounda
ry value problems. The complexity of the problem is moderated by exploiting
general properties of the vector operators, the underlying Helmholtz equat
ion kernel functions as well as the symmetries of the problem. Finally, the
proposed analysis is illustrated in the case of electromagnetic and elasti
c fields. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved.