A method of improving performance of an optical amplifier and an optical fiber amplifier including an optical fiber having a zero-dispersion wavelength, and at least one Raman pump that provides pump power to the optical fiber at a predetermined wavelength to allow transfer of at least a portion of the pump power to a first adjacent wavelength that is less than the zero-dispersion wavelength, and to a second adjacent wavelength that is greater than the zero-dispersion wavelength.