US Patent 7728520 Optical modulator of electron beam

An optoelectronic modulator is based on the concentration of an electron beam from an electron gun by a tapered cavity, which sides are photosensitive and change the electrical conductivity under the illumination of light (electromagnetic radiation). The light modulation causes the corresponding changes in the current transported across the walls of the cavity. The remaining part of the electron current exits the cavity aperture and forms an amplitude-modulated divergent electron beam.