The substitution of Al3+ with the larger Sc3+ in the Er:YSAG structure leads to improved elastic–plastic properties. The optical transmittance of the ceramics is affected strongly by including Sc3+ and is increased to up to 60% at about 1.5 μm.

The Er1.5Y1.5Al5O12 (Er:YAG) and (Er1.43Y1.43Sc0.14)(Sc0.24Al1.76)Al3O12 (Er:YSAG) ceramics have been characterized using the Judd-Ofelt (JO) theory. The line strengths and oscillator strengths of several transitions from the ground state 4I15/2 to excited state manifolds have been evaluated from transmittance spectra measured at room temperature (300 K). The JO parameters have been calculated, and the values of the radiative decays rate and the radiative lifetimes for the 4I13/2 excited state, and the luminescence cross-section of 4I15/2 → 4I13/2 in Er-doped ceramic samples have been established. We have traced the influence of Sc3+ inclusion on spectroscopic properties and crystal quality and estimate prospects of application in laser systems.

We report the fabrication and characterization of the yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) and yttrium scandium aluminum garnet (Er:YSAG) ceramics for implementing analysis as an active medium for 1500 nm lasing. High erbium content Er:YAG and Er:YSAG ceramics have been fabricated from Er:YAG and Er:YSAG powders, respectively. All ceramic samples belong to the garnet-type cubic structure (space group Ia3d) without any traceable impure phases. Including Sc 3+ in the Er:YAG crystal structure leads to improving mechanical characteristics and elastic-plastic properties of the materials. The optical transmittance of ceramics is affected strongly by the including Sc 3+ and increasing up to 60% at about 1500 nm.

The optical and generation characteristics of 8.3(3) at. % Yb:YSAG ceramics (Y2,55Yb0,25Sc1,00Al4,2O12) made by solid solution powder sintering. Lasing was obtained on the basis of Yb:YSAG ceramics and the characteristics of laser radiation were studied at different transmittances of the output mirror of the resonator. The maximum generation power was 1.8 W at 3.6 W of absorbed pumping in the quasi-cw generation mode. The maximum differential efficiency was 57% for a mirror with a transmittance of 14.5%.

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