The Ca3Y2(BO3)(4):Er3+ crystal with a size up to phi 20 mm x 30 mm was grown by the Czochralski method. The absorption spectrum was measured and its absorption peaks were assigned to the corresponding transitions between the Er3+ energy levels. A broad emission spectrum from 1429.4 to 1662.8 nm was exhibited from 530 nm wavelength pumping. This crystal is promising as a tunable infrared laser crystal. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.