Micro-pulling-down (mu-PD) growth apparatus was modified for fluoride crystals. PrF3 was grown with various concentrations of Ce3+ from 0-100%. The crystals were transparent and colorless (CeF3) or greenish and 3 mm in diameter and 15-50 mm in length. Neither visible inclusions nor cracks were observed. Radioluminescence spectra and decay kinetics were measured for the sample set at room temperature. In comparison to the Czochralski or Bridgman method, the mu-PD method allows to produce single crystalline material in a faster thus more economic way. Once it is established for the fluoride crystals, it is an efficient tool for exploring the field of new functional fluorides. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.