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.

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Yttrium scandate crystals doped by Nd3+ and Tm3+ ions have been obtained in the form of a fiber through the laser-heated pedestal growth (LHPG) method. Three types of optical centers of Nd3+ and Tm3+ have been recorded by the selective laser spectroscopy methods. Two dominant centers form due to substitution of the rare-earth ions for Y3+ and Sc3+ in the structural site of C2. In the case of Nd3+:YScO3, the third one is aggregate pair center Nd3+ - Nd3+ which forms due to substitution of basic ions (Y3+ or Sc3+) in neighboring MO6 polyhedra shared the edge. In the case of Tm3+:YScO3, the third optical center form due to substitution of Tm3+ for Y3+ or Sc3+ in the octahedra MO6 with symmetry site of C3i. The lifetime have been estimated for Nd3+ and Tm3+ ions occupied MO6 polyhedra with symmetry sites of C2 and C3i in the YScO3 crystal fibers. Stark level schematic of 2F3/2, 4I11/2, and 4I9/2 multiplets of Nd3+ ions have been built for both centers of C2 in the YScO3 crystal fiber