Growth of Yb:S-FAP [Yb3+ :Sr-5(PO4)(3)F] crystals is being studied for 1.047 mum laser operation. These crystals are not yet routinely available and the growth of high optical quality, low loss crystals poses a challenge due to a number of crystal growth issues, including, cloudiness, bubble core defects, anomalous absorption, Pow-angle grain boundaries, and cracking. At this time, a growth process has been formulated to simultaneously eliminate or greatly diminish each of the defects to yield high quality material. Laser slabs of dimension 4.0 x 6.0 x 0.75 cm are being fabricated from subscale pieces using the diffusion bonding technique.