Optical absorption and emission intensity have been investigated for a new erbium-doped lanthanum calcium borate crystal Er3+:La2CaB10O19 (Er:LCB), and spectral parameters have been estimated from absorption data based on Judd-Ofelt theory. The three intensity parameters Omega(t) (t = 2, 4, 6) are 3.50 x 10(-20), 4.02 x 10(-20) and 1.64 x 10(-20) cm(2), respectively. From the obtained intensity parameters, the radiative probabilities A(r), radiative lifetime tau(f), fluorescence branching ratios beta(c), and integrated emission cross-sections Sigma have been calculated. In comparison with other Er-doped laser crystals, the results show that Er:LCB has potential as a promising laser crystal. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.