Embodiments of a method comprising guiding an optical mode with an optical waveguide disposed in silicon, overlapping both the optical waveguide and an active semiconductor material evanescently coupled to the optical waveguide with the optical mode guided through the optical waveguide, electrically pumping the active semiconductor material to inject current directed through the active semiconductor material and through the optical mode, and generating light in the active semiconductor material in response to the injected current. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.