Nd-3divided by:LaB3O6 crystals with the size up to circle divide 20 mm x 35 mm were grown by the Czochralski technique. The absorption spectrum was measured and its absorption peaks were assigned. The absorption cross section sigma(a) at about 799 nm was measured to be 3.37 x 10(-20) cm(2). An emission spectrum was obtained from 799 nm wavelength pumping. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.