Raman amplification is used in optical transmission systems, devices and/or components way of for applying Raman amplification avoiding or suppressing detrimental and hence undesirable non-linear effects is provided. Raman amplification in an optical device is provided by firstly determining a pump power (3) necessary for providing Raman amplification and then by providing a low spectral power density by pumping the optical device with pump power (3) at a relatively broad pump power spectrum and preferably a low spectral pump power amplitude such that the total output pump power (3) remains sufficiently high. The pump power (3) is optically attenuated prior to being coupled to the optical device.