Abstract: A technique is described for generating a cylindrically polarized beam, e.g., a radially or azimuthally polarized beam. An input optical fiber is provided that supports signal propagation in a fundamental LP01 mode. A mode converter device converts the fundamental LP01 mode into a higher-order LP11 mode output that includes a linear combination of modes, including cylindrically polarized TM01 and TE01 modes and mixed HE21 (even) and HE21 (odd) modes. The LP11 mode output propagates through a connected phase-engineered fiber having a refractive index profile that includes a steep refractive index step proximate to a peak amplitude of a mode intensity profile of the LP11 mode, such that at least one cylindrically polarized mode has an effective refractive index that is sufficiently separated from those of the mixed modes to allow for coupling to the at least one cylindrically polarized mode with minimal cross-coupling.