Yb3+ :Sr3Gd(BO3)(3) crystal with dimension circle divide 25 x 35 mm(2) has been grown by the Czochralski method. The preliminary spectroscopic properties of Yb3+ :Sr3Gd(BO3)(3) crystal were investigated. The strongest absorption peak with a full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 7 urn is centered at 976 nm wavelength, and the absorption cross-section is equal to 6.57 x 10(-21) cm(2) at 976 nm. The broad emission band with a peak at 1002 nm has an FWHM of 83 nm. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.