Ytterbium-doped gadolinium aluminum borate (Yb3+:GAB) crystal with size up to 25 mm x 15 mm x 15 mm has been grown by the top seeded solution growth method. The X-ray powder diffraction proved that the structure of the Yb3+:GAB crystal has the same space group R-32 as pure GAB crystal. The polarized absorption spectra, emission spectra, and fluorescence lifetime of the Yb3+:GAB crystal were measured at room temperature. The spectroscopic parameters of the crystal were compared with those of Yb3+:YAl3(BO3)(4) crystal. The results showed that the Yb3+:GAB crystals can also be used as nonlinear laser materials. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.