Phenomenological model for spectral broadening of incoherent light in fibers via self-phase modulation and dispersion

A phenomenological model for spectral broadening of incoherent light in silica fibers via self-phase modulation and dispersion is presented, aiming at providing a qualitative and readily accessible description of incoherent light spectral broadening. In this model, the incoherent light is approximated by a cosine power-modulated light with modulation parameters depending on the coherent time and the dispersion in fibers. A simple and practical method for spectral broadening predictions is given and demonstrated by both the straightforward NLSE-based numerical modeling and series of experiments including narrowband and broadband incoherent light in passive fibers and fiber amplifiers.