Period-one nonlinear dynamics of semiconductor lasers are utilized to provide an apparatus for photonic microwave power amplification in radio-over-fiber links through optical modulation depth improvement. The microwave power amplification apparatus includes a microwave-modulated optical signal generation module and a microwave power amplification module. The amplification capability of the present microwave power amplification apparatus covers a broad microwave range, from less than 25 GHz to more than 60 GHz, and a wide gain range, from less than 10 dB to more than 30 dB. The microwave phase quality is mainly preserved while the microwave power is largely amplified, improving the signal-to-noise ratio up to at least 25 dB. The bit-error ratio at 1.25 Gb/s is better than 10−9 and a sensitivity improvement of up to at least 15 dB is feasible.