Er-3divided by-doped La-2(WO4)(3) single crystals up to 139 g have been grown by the Czochralski method. The absorption and fluorescence spectra of the Er-3divided by:La-2(WO4)(3) crystal were measured at room temperature. The fluorescence lifetimes of some typical Er-3divided by-doped laser upper levels were estimated from the recorded fluorescence decay curves. The spectral properties and growth technique were also discussed. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.