  We demonstrate the use of cylindrical vector beams - beams with spatially
varying polarization - for detecting and preparing the spin of a warm rubidium
vapor in a spatially dependent manner. We show that a modified probe vector
beam can serve as an atomic spin analyzer for an optically pumped medium, which
spatially modulates absorption of the beam. We also demonstrate space-variant
atomic spin by optical pumping with the vector beams. The beams are thus
beneficial for making singleshot polarization-dependent measurements, as well
as for providing a means of preparing samples with position-dependent spin.
