A photodiode (26) receives an optical input signal (P1) and an internal optical signal (P2) and supplies in response thereto an internal electrical signal (I2), which in turn controls a laser (4) which effects amplification and supplies the internal optical signal and an output signal (P3). The feedback loop formed by this photodiode and laser leads to a strong non-linearity in the variation of the output signal as a function of the input signal. The invention is useful especially in optical fiber telecommunications systems.