A microwave photonic filter is provided. The filter includes an optical source, an electro-optic modulator, a single mode optical fiber, a few-mode optical fiber, and a photodiode. The electro-optic modulator is configured to receive an optical carrier from the optical source and an input electrical signal. The electro-optic modulator modulates the optical carrier based on the input electrical signal. The single mode optical fiber is configured to receive the modulated optical carrier from the electro-optic modulator. The few-mode optical fiber is configured to receive the modulated optical carrier from the single mode optical fiber. The filter includes one of a plurality of methods for causing higher order mode excitation in the few-mode fiber. The photodiode is configured to receive an output from the few-mode optical fiber.