An Yb3+ :Ca2La2/3(VO4)(2) crystal with dimensions of diameter18 x 30 mm(3) has been grown by the Czochralski method. The principal refractive indices of the Yb3+ :Ca2La2/3(VO4)(2) crystal have been measured by the auto-collimation method. The experimentally obtained room temperature values of the refractive indices are: n(o) = 1.8546, n(e) = 1.8322 at the 1.064 mu m wavelength. The specific heat of the Yb3+ :Ca2La2/3(VO4)(2) crystals is 0.053 J/g K at 308 K. The hardness of the Yb3+ :Ca2La2/3(VO4)(2) crystal is 946.1 VDH. Spectroscopic characterization of the Yb3+ :Ca2La2/3(VO4)(2) crystal has been performed as well. The polarized absorption cross-sections are 2.05 x 10(-20) cm(2) for E parallel to c and 2.47 x 10(-20) cm(2) for E-Le, respectively. The polarized emission cross-sections are 1.55 x 10(-20) cm(2) for E parallel to c and 1.61 x 10(-20) cm(2) for E perpendicular to c, respectively. The Yb3+ :Ca2La2/3(VO4)(2) crystal has a broad operating laser wavelength, which is useful for generating fermosecond pulses. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.