Polarized downconversion, 980-nm-upconversion and near-infrared emission characteristics of vapor-transport-equilibrated (VTEed) bulk Er (0.4 mol%)/ MgO (6 mol%)-codoped LiNbO3 crystals were investigated. The downconversion and upconversion visible emissions display similar VTE effects including the drop of emission intensity and the weakening of polarization dependence. At 0.98 and 1.5 mu m regions, the VTE has a weak effect on the emission intensity, but a strong effect on the spectral shape. The crystalline phases in these bulk Er/Mg-codoped VTE crystals are determined by comparing their infrared emission characteristics with those of pure ErNbO4 powder and locally Er-doped MgO (4.5 mol%): LiNbO3 crystal. The results show that the Er3+ ions present in these bulk Er/Mg-codoped VTE crystals as a mixture of Er: LiNbO3 and ErNbO4 phases. The percentages of the ErNbO4 phase contained in these VTE crystals were evaluated from the 1531 and 1536 nm characteristic absorption areas. The contents of constituent elements were determined by chemical analysis. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.