Multi-function beam delivery fibers and related system and method

A method comprising:

• generating multiple laser beams;
• arranging the laser beams for entry into multiple cores of an optical fiber, at least one of the multiple cores forming an optical waveguide and having an elongated cross-section with a narrower dimension in a fast-axis direction and a wider dimension in a slow-axis direction;
• and
• transporting the laser beams using the optical fiber;
• wherein a cladding surrounds the multiple cores, the cladding having a refractive index that differs from at least one refractive index of the multiple cores.

A system comprising:

• multiple lasers configured to generate multiple laser beams;
• and
• an optical fiber configured to transport the multiple beams, the optical fiber comprising:
• one or more cores configured to transport the multiple beams, at least one of the one or more cores forming an optical waveguide and having an elongated cross-section with a narrower dimension in a fast-axis direction and a wider dimension in a slow-axis direction;
• and
• a cladding surrounding the one or more cores, the cladding having a refractive index that differs from at least one refractive index of the one or more cores.