Method and apparatus for silicon-based optically-pumped amplification using stimulated scattering

A method comprising:

• receiving a multi-wavelength optical input including multiple optical signals;
• separating a first optical signal having a first wavelength from the multiple optical signals;
• propagating a pump optical signal in a waveguide having a core formed in a semiconductor material, the pump optical signal having a pump wavelength and a power level sufficiently great to cause a second optical signal of a second wavelength to propagate in the waveguide;
• coupling the first optical signal with the second optical signal into the waveguide to amplify the first optical signal, the first wavelength of the first optical signal different from the pump wavelength;
• and
• adding a third optical signal having the first wavelength to the multiple optical signals after the separating of the first optical signal.

A system comprising:

• an optical signal source to output a first optical signal of a first wavelength;
• and
• a silicon semiconductor device to receive the first optical signal, the silicon semiconductor device including:
• a waveguide disposed in semiconductor material of the silicon semiconductor device to receive a second optical signal of a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, the second optical signal having an intensity that is sufficient to cause emission of a third optical signal of a third wavelength different from the second wavelength when the second optical signal is propagated in the waveguide;
• a coupler disposed in semiconductor material of the semiconductor device to receive the first and second optical signals, the coupler to cause an optical output signal to propagate in the waveguide, the optical output signal including at least parts of the first and second optical signals;
• and
• a laser source integrated into the silicon semiconductor device to generate the second optical signal.