We demonstrate a compact, broadband optical amplifier using the conjugated polymer poly[2-methoxy-5-(2′,6′-dimethyloctyloxy)-paraphenylenevinylene] (OC1C10–PPV) in dilute solution. Gains of 30–40 dB in a wavelength range of 575–640 nm, corresponding to a 50 THz bandwidth, are observed due to the broad luminescence spectrum and large cross section for stimulated emission of the polymer. The variation in gain as a function of solution concentration and probe intensity is examined. For a 1 cm path length we observe a small signal gain of 44±1 dB, and deduce a stimulated emission cross-section for OC1C10–PPV of (5.3±0.6)×10−17 cm2. © 2002 American Institute of Physics.