Ho:LuGG single crystal was successfully grown by the Czochralski growth method, and its lattice parameter was found to be 12.2371 angstrom. Its thermal conductivity was measured to be 5.29 W mK(-1) at 300 K. Meanwhile, transmission spectra were recorded at room temperature, and then its absorption spectra were obtained combining with the transmission spectra of LuGG crystal. The transition intensity parameters Omega(t) (t = 2, 4, 6), the oscillator strengths, fluorescence branching ratios, transition probabilities and the lifetimes of Ho3+ in LuGG crystal were all evaluated by the Judd-Ofelt theory. Furthermore, its emission spectra were also determined and analyzed. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.