System and method for generating broadband spectrum by phase modulation of multiple wavelengths

An optical system comprising:

• at least one laser source configured to generate first light having a first spectrum comprising a plurality of first peaks, each first peak having a corresponding peak wavelength and a corresponding linewidth;
• a waveform generator configured to produce a noise waveform;
• and
• an electro-optic phase modulator in optical communication with the at least one laser source and in electrical communication with the waveform generator, the electro-optic phase modulator configured to receive the first light, to receive the noise waveform, and to respond to the noise waveform by modulating the first light to produce second light having a second spectrum comprising a plurality of second peaks, each second peak having a corresponding peak wavelength and a corresponding linewidth, the peak wavelengths of the second peaks equal to the peak wavelengths of the first peaks and the linewidths of the second peaks broader than the linewidths of the corresponding first peaks.