Method of amplifying optical signals using doped materials with extremely broad bandwidths

In a method of amplifying optical input signals over a wide bandwidth, the optical input signals are applied to an optical waveguide made from a rare-earth-doped amorphous material (e.g., erbium-doped SrY₄(SiO₄)₃O material). The optical input signals include optical signals having wavelengths over a range of approximately 125 nanometers. Pump light is applied to the optical waveguide to cause the waveguide to provide optical gain to the optical input signals. The optical gain causes the optical signals to be amplified within the waveguide to provide amplified optical signals over approximately a 125-nanometer range, including, in particular, optical signals having wavelengths at one end of the range and optical signals having wavelengths at a second end of the range.