Large crystal of Nd3+:GdYCOB with dimension phi25 x 35 mm(2) and few cleaves were grown by the Czochralski method. The absorption and emission spectrum of Nd3+ :GdYCOB have been investigated. The absorption cross section sigma(a) with a FWHM of 2 nm is 1.77 x 10(-20) cm(2) at 812 nm. The emission cross section sigma(e), is 1.25 x 10(-19) cm(2) at 1063 nm wavelength. The luminescence lifetime is 81.8 mus at room temperature. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.