A laser system can efficiently direct a laser beam to a treatment area via an optical fiber. The laser beam is produced using a CO2 laser that has a wavelength greater than about 9 μm and less than about 10 μm. The optical fiber, which can be a solid core fiber, includes chalcogenide glass. The chalcogenide glass is adapted to minimize transmission losses at wavelengths in a range from about 9 μm up to about 10 μm. One or more laser beam parameters can be controlled at least according to a selected treatment using a controller. A visible-spectrum and/or fluorescing optical fiber may be physically but not optically coupled to the chalcogenide fiber.
