Spectral anomalies in supercontinuum focused waves

The diffraction-induced spectral anomalies in the focal plane of an apertured spherical wave with supercontinuum flat-top power spectrum are investigated. Coherent broadband radiation (also incoherent white light) demonstrates a strong blue shift in the vicinity of the optical axis, and discrete spectral gaps with overall red shift arise out of this central region. Unlike narrow-band light, the spectral switch effect fades away with ultra-broad spectra.