Net-gain from a parametric amplifier on a chalcogenide optical chip.

We report first observation of net-gain from an optical parametric amplifier in a planar waveguide. This was achieved in a low-loss As(2)S(3) planar waveguide, with a strong nonlinearity (gamma approximately 10 /W/m) and tailored anomalous dispersion yielding efficient Raman-assisted four-wave mixing at telecom wavelengths. The experiments were in good agreement with theory, and indicate a peak net-gain greater than +16 dB for the signal and idler (+30 dB neglecting coupling losses) and a broad bandwidth spanning 180 nm.