A system and method for producing a multiple optical channel source (MOCS). The method includes producing the SC in a medium using at least one femto-second or pico-second optical input pump pulse; splitting input pump pulse or resultant output SC pulse(s) into a plurality of collinear pulses; applying a time delay .tau. between the least one of input pump pulse or SC pulses; and producing a MOCS by the spectral interference of the plurality of SC pulses. The system includes a laser producing femto-second or pico-second pump pulses, a medium with a high value of the .chi..sup.(3) nonlinear response to produce spectrally coherent SC, an optical system for delivery of laser pump pulses into the SC producing medium, an optical system for splitting the input pump pulses or output SC pulses into a plurality of collinear pulses, and a means for applying a time delay .tau. between the plurality of pump or SC pulses.