A　subwavelength　metal　grating　is　designed　to　generate　axially　symmetric　polarized　beams　(ASPBs)　in　the　visible　region,　and　a　simulation　based　on　the　rigid　coupled　wave　algorithm　(RCWA)　is　performed　to　optimize　the　grating.　The　ring-shaped　grating　is　manufactured　by　electron　beam　lithography　(EBL),　nanometer-imprint　and　plasma　etching　technologies.　An　azimuthally　polarized　beam　is　obtained　with　the　grating　under　the　632.8nm　He-Ne　laser　radiation,　which　can　be　transferred　to　a　radially　polarized　beam　or　other　ASPBs　with　wave　plates.　Based　on　the　broad　band　feature　of　the　grating,　this　method　is　practical　and　reliable　in　realizing　ASPBs.　©　2013　The　Japan　Society　of　Applied　Physics.