Titanium ion (Ti⁺³) embedded in a matrix of Sapphire (Al₂O₃) gives: Ti:Al₂O₃.
This material is the active medium of the laser  called Titanium doped Sapphire laser.

The amount of Titanium ions inside the host material is about 0.1%, and they replace Aluminum atoms in the crystal.
Ti:Saphire lasers belong to a family of lasers called Vibronic Lasers, in which trivalent Chromium or Titanium are embedded in solid host, .

Ti: Sapphire laser was first demonstrated in 1982 by Peter Moulton MIT Lincoln Laboratory.

Commercial continuous wave systems entered the market in 1988.
They replace the Dye lasers in the Near-Infra-Red (NIR), because they are much more reliable and easier to use.

Titanium is a transition metal, thus Titanium Sapphire lasers belong to transition metal lasers.

Titanium doped Sapphire laser is an efficient, reliable Tunable laser in the visible spectrum and Near-Infra-Red (NIR) spectrum.