An Nd3+:Ca9Gd(VO4)(7) crystal with dimensions of (empty set) 25 x 30 mm(3) was grown by the Czochralski method. The hardness, thermal expansion coefficient and thermal conductivity coefficient of the crystal were measured. The spectroscopic characteristics of Nd3+:Ca9Gd(VO4)(7) crystals were investigated. The absorption band at 810 nm has an FWHM of 10 nm, and absorption cross-sections are 5.81 x 10(-20) cm(2) for pi-polarization and 7.47 x 10(-20) cm(2) for sigma-polarization at 810 nm. The emission cross-sections at 1067 nm are 4.2 x 10(-20) and 6.5 x 10(-20) cm(2) for pi- and sigma-polarizations, respectively. The quantum efficiency eta(c) is equal to 94.3%. To sum up the above results, Nd3+:Ca9Cd(VO4)(7) crystal can be regarded as a highly efficient solid state laser material. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.