Large effective area waveguide fiber

A single mode optical waveguide fiber having a segmented core designed to provide a large effective area for light transmission. The large effective area reduces waveguide fiber non-linearities. The inventive waveguide is thus suited for transmission of high power signals over long distances. Embodiments of the inventive single mode waveguide including five core segments are given triple clad with central index dip, quadruple clad with central index dip, alpha profile with pedestal, alpha profile with additional high index ring, and quadruple clad with depressed cladding. The large effective area is achieved with essentially no degradation in optical or mechanical performance of the waveguide.