We realize a robust and compact cylindrical vector beam generator which consists of a simple two-element interferometer composed of a beam displacer and a cube beamsplitter. The interferometer operates on the higherorder Poincaré sphere transforming a homogeneously polarized vortex into a cylindrical vector (CV) beam. We experimentally demonstrate the transformation of a single vortex beam into all the well-known CV beams and show the operations on the higher-order Poincaré sphere according to the control parameters. Our method offers an alternative to the Pancharatnam-Berry phase optical elements and has the potential to be implemented as a monolithic device. 1 arXiv:1908.07562v1 [physics.optics]

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We implement laboratory activities for the construction of key concepts in quantum optics based on experimentation and discussion. These activities were realized in the Quantum Optics Laboratory at Tecnologico de Monterrey with a multidisciplinary group of undergraduate students. We focus on experiments that involve understanding the concept of a photon, such as single photon interference, correlated photons, and entanglement. As an indicator of acquired learning, we design a questionnaire with conceptual questions. This initiative seeks to stimulate the development of multidisciplinary projects in quantum optics taking as a starting point the understanding of basic concepts.