A profiling method compensates for phase changes associated with the presence of multiple or varying material in the area to be measured. A super-continuum generator including a bulk spectral-broadening element and a negative group-delay dispersion device is arranged to receive a pulse from the MOPA and cause the pulse to make a predetermined number of sequential interactions with the broadening element and the NGDD device. If desired the method and device also groups a set of common application interfaces associated with another application type to produce another application container.