A broadband light source is disclosed. The broadband light source includes a semiconductor optical amplifier for generating and amplifying light of a broadband wavelength, the amplifier having a first end and a second end and a mirror spaced from the second end of the semiconductor optical amplifier to reflect the light, which is provided by the semiconductor optical amplifier, back to the semiconductor optical amplifier, wherein the semiconductor optical amplifier amplifies the light reflected from the mirror and outputs the amplified light to the first end of the semiconductor optical amplifier. The light source further including at least one lens system to converge light passing through the amplifier ends.