1.0 at.% erbium-doped YVO4 crystals have been grown along [0 0 1] by optical floating zone technique after optimizing the synthesis process. The circular cross-section of the grown crystals is explained on the basis of attachment energy. Using Judd-Ofelt (JO) theory the absorption and emission lines observed in absorption and photoluminescence data along [0 0 1] are characterized. JO intensity parameters as calculated are: Omega(2) = 14.4389 x 10(-20) cm(2), Omega(4) = 2.3320 x 10(-20) cm(2) and Omega(6) = 1.7794 x 10(-20) cm(2). For I-4(13/2) -> I-4(15/2) transition the calculated radiative lifetime and emission cross-section are: 2.59 x 10(-20) cm(2) and 2.45 ms, respectively. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.