Enhanced 1.5 µm emission of Tm3+ ions by co-doping Tb3+ ions in Y3Al5O12 ceramics

•After co-doping Tb3+ ions, the Ω4/Ω6 increased 1.57 from to 1.66.•The branching ratios of the 3H4→3F4 transition also strengthened.•The decay curve of 3F4 level doped with different Tb3+ ions concentration decreased.•Tb3+ ion is a productive deactivator that could reduce the filling of 3F4 mainfold and enhance the emission of 3H4→3F4 transition.