A method for spreading a spectrum of a narrowband signal, e.g. a monochromatic optical signal or a radiofrequency carrier. The method uses a phase modulation using a modulation signal that includes a plurality of sinusoidal components, the plurality including a component at a fundamental frequency and at least one component at a frequency that is a harmonic of the fundamental frequency, the sinusoidal components being synchronous and affected with phases respectively equal to consecutive multiples of π/2.