Nd,Co:LaMgAl11O19 (abbreviated as Co,Nd:LMA) was grown using the Czochralski method. The structure, polarized absorption spectrum, fluorescence spectrum, and fluorescence decay time were analyzed. The as-grown crystal had very wide absorption bands at 794 nm, which can be pumped by GaAs laser diode without temperature stabilization. Two strong emission bands were present at 1056 nm and 1082 nm with full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 6 and 8 nm, respectively. The large FWHM is due to the inhomogeneity of the Nd ion sites. The lifetimes of the F-4(3/2) manifold of Co,Nd:LMA at room temperature monitored at 905 nm, 1056 nm, and 1344 nm were 292, 288, and 350 mu s, respectively, which was caused by the different contribution of the three different sites with D-3h and C-2v symmetry. The absorption band of Co is from 1.3 mu m to 1.6 mu m, and Co,Nd:LMA still has a strong emission around the 1.38 mu m, indicating that the Co,Nd:LMA can be applied as a potential self-Q-switched material operating at 1.3 mu m. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.