Hydroxil and iron ions in YAP: Er laser crystals

⁴S_3/2⁴I_9/2 (1.663m) and⁴I_11/2⁴I_13/2 (2.731m) laser transitions in YAPEr were studied using a material containing Fe, hydroxil impurities and other codopants. Iron impurity causes luminescence quenching of both the⁴S_3/2 and⁴I_11/2 levels whereas OH^– ions enlarge losses, particularly at 2.731m. The effect of iron and hydroxil impurities may be easily diminished by adding Mg²⁺ ions, whereas the admixture of Ce³⁺ or Zr⁴⁺ brings no positive effects.