The singular optical beams refer to the Orbital Angular Momentum（OAM）beam with phase singularity and the Cylindrical Vector Beam（CVB）with polarization singularity.Both the OAM and CVB are orthogonal optical modes

which can serve as basis for spatial division multiplexing optical communication.By providing a new degree of freedom

the singular optical beam multiplexing techniques dramatically increase the optical communication capacity and show significant application potentials in both classical and quantum optical communication.In this review paper

we firstly introduce the mathematical descriptions and physics properties of the OAM and CVB beams.Then the methods and techniques for OAM and CVB generation/detection are summarized.We also review the latest progresses of the OAM and CVB multiplexing based optical communication applications including the free-space and optical fiber communication.Finally

we talk about the pros and cons of the singular optical beams

and show our prospective for the future developments of the techniques.