Fabrication and Characterization of New Er-Doped Yttrium–Scandium–Aluminum–Garnet Ceramics

We report the fabrication and characterization of yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Er:YAG) and yttrium–scandium–aluminum–garnet (Er:YSAG) ceramics for the implementation of analysis as an active medium for 1500 nm lasing. High erbium content Er:YAG and Er:YSAG ceramics are 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 Sc3+ in the Er:YAG crystal structure leads to improved mechanical characteristics and elastic–plastic properties of the materials. The optical transmittance of ceramics is affected strongly by including Sc3+ and increases up to 60% at about 1500 nm.