Large-size yttrium-doped lead tungstate single crystals (Y:PbWO4) of good quality were grown by modified Bridgman method. The growth conditions, such as purity of raw materials, growth orientation and rate, temperature gradient, seed selection and cooling rate of after-growth, were discussed in this paper. Data of crystals along different growth orientations were obtained on the transmittance spectra, and the radio- and photoluminescence emission spectra. Optical anisotropy effects of Y:PbWO4 were observed and studied. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.