There are provided optical fiber configurations that provide for the delivery of laser energy,
and in particular, the transmission and delivery of high power laser energy over great
distances. These configurations further are hardened to protect the optical fibers from the
stresses and conditions of an intended application. The configurations provide means for
determining the additional fiber length (AFL) need to obtain the benefits of such additional
fiber, while avoiding bending losses.

There are provided optical fiber configurations that provide for the delivery of laser energy,
and in particular, the transmission and delivery of high power laser energy over great
distances. These configurations further are hardened to protect the optical fibers from the
stresses and conditions of an intended application. The configurations provide means for
determining the additional fiber length (AFL) need to obtain the benefits of such additional
fiber, while avoiding bending losses.