In order to explore and develop new crystal materials in the 2.7–3.0 μm band, Pr, Yb, Ho:GdScO
3crystal are successfully grown by the Czochralski method for the first time. X-ray diffraction measurement is performed to obtain powder diffraction data. Raman spectra aree measured and the vibration peaks are identified. The transmission spectrum, emission spectrum and fluorescence lifetime of Pr, Yb, Ho:GdScO
3crystal are also characterized. The center of the strongest absorption band is at 966 nm with a half-peak width of 90 nm, which comes from the transition of Yb
3+:
2F
7/2→
2F
5/2. The absorption cross section of Yb
3+is calculated and the values at 966, 973, 985 nm are 0.62×10
–20, 0.60×10
–20and 0.58×10
–20cm
2respectively. The maximum emission peak is at 2850 nm and the half-peak width is 70 nm, the lifetimes of Ho
3+:
5I
6and
5I
7are measured to be 1094 and 56 μs respectively, and the emission cross section at 2850 and 2935 nm are calculated to be 3.6×10
–20cm
2and 1.21×10
–20cm
2, respectively. Comparing with Yb, Ho: GdScO
3crystal, the absorption peak of Yb
3+and the emission peak are both broadened, which are related to the increase of crystal disorder. The lifetime of the lower energy level decreases significantly. Furthermore, the energy transfer mechanism between
$\rm Ho^{3+} $
and Pr
3+is analyzed, and the energy transfer efficiency between Ho
3+:
5I
7and Pr
3+:
3F
2+
3H
6is calculated to be 99%, which is higher than those in other materials. All the results show that Pr, Yb, Ho:GdScO
3crystal is an excellent 2.7–3 μm laser material, and is easier to achieve laser output than Yb, Ho:GdScO
3crystal.