Vacuum micro-electronic optical modulator

We propose novel methods for control of light by an electron beam in miniature vacuum tube. Amplitude, phase, frequency, and spatial modulation can be effected, separately or in combination, through manipulation of the electron beam characteristics without any moving mechanical parts. The achievable modulation rate is limited by the speed at which this manipulation can be accomplished. In principle, the amplitude modulation bandwidth can be up to 5% of the carrying optical frequency for a modest modulating drive voltage of order 1V. Such a fast rate would be useful in terahertz diagnostics. We also investigate the feasibility of 1 Tbps per single frequency channel of a mid-infrared carrier. High-speed frequency modulation for the processing of optical signals and high-speed simultaneous phase, spatial modulation of the waveform, and conversion both for intra-band and inter-band coherent translation of optically carried information are also unique features of the proposed method.