Methods, apparatus, and systems for modulation of a laser beam. An optical modulator may comprise an optical input to receive an optical beam, and one or more lengths of fiber between the optical input and an optical output. At least one of the lengths of fiber comprises a confinement region that is optically coupled to the output. The optical modulator may further comprise a perturbation device to modulate, through action upon the one or more lengths of fiber, a transmittance of the beam through the confinement region from a first transmittance level at a first time instance to a second transmittance level at a second time instance. The optical modulator may further comprise a controller input coupled to the perturbation device, wherein the perturbation device is to act upon the one or more lengths of fiber in response to a control signal received through the controller input.