An optical fiber can include a glass core that is multimode at a selected
wavelength and that comprises an index of refraction and a diameter
D.sub.core, a glass cladding disposed about said glass core, said glass
cladding comprising an outer diameter D.sub.cladding and a first index of
refraction that is less than said index of refraction of said core, and a
second cladding disposed about said glass cladding, said second cladding
comprising an optically cured polymer, said polymer comprising an index
of refraction that is less than said first index of refraction. In
certain embodiments, the fiber can include various other features. For
example, [D.sub.cladding/D.sub.core].sup.2 can be no greater than 1.5;
the polymer can have a modulus of no greater than 100 MPa; the core can
include means for affecting the power distribution amongst modes
propagated by the core, such as by having a non circular outer perimeter;
the core can support at least 100 modes at the selected wavelength;
D.sub.core can be at least 250 microns; the fiber can include a region
disposed about the second cladding, and the region can comprise a polymer
comprising an index of refraction that is greater than the index of
refraction of said core. The fiber can be used, for example, for
delivering light having the selected wavelength to or from a work object.