This paper reports the growth and X-ray diffraction of Nd3+-doped Ba3Y(BO3)(3) crystal. A Nd3+-doped Ba3Y(BO3)(3) crystal with space group R! and dimensions of 20 mm diameter and 25 mm length has been grown by the Czochralski method. The grown crystals were characterized using X-ray diffraction and DTA methods. Results show that the Ba3Y(BO3)(3) crystal with space group R (3) over bar belongs to high-temperature phase (alpha-Ba3Y(BO3)(3)), and the Ba3Y(BO3)(3) crystal with space group P6(3)cm belongs to the low-temperature phase (beta-Ba3Y(BO3)(3)). The phase transition temperature is 1148degreesC. X-ray powder diffraction patterns of two polymorphs were obtained. The spectral properties of alpha-Nd3+ :Ba3Y(BO3)(3) crystal were investigated. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.