Cr.sup.3+-doped laser materials and lasers and methods of making and using

A laser medium includes a single crystal of chromium-doped LiSc.sub.l-xIn.sub.xGe.sub.1-ySi.sub.yO.sub.4, where 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.1 and 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1. Preferably, x and y are not both 0. A laser, such as a tunable near infrared laser, can contain the laser medium.