An optical fiber comprises a photosensitive core that includes a concentration of a first material that increases the refractive index of the core and a concentration of a second material that is other than boron and that reduces the refractive index of the core. A cladding is disposed about the core for tending to confine light to the core. The fiber also includes at least one longitudinally extending region having a thermal coefficient of expansion that is different from the thermal coefficient of expansion of the cladding. In another embodiment, the core includes a concentration of germanium and a concentration of boron. Also disclosed is a polarization-maintaining double-clad (PM DC) fiber comprising one or both of at least one circular axially extending stress inducing region(s) and an inner cladding comprising a circular outer perimeter. Fibers according to the invention can include a rare earth dopant for emitting light of a selected wavelength responsive to being pumped by pump light of a pump wavelength that is different than the selected wavelength.