The paper reports on the growth conditions of Li2B4O7 single crystals in both pure and Yb, Co, Mn doped systems. The crystals were grown by the Czochralski method using an intentional concentration of the above--mentioned ions at a level of 0.5 mol.%. The pure and Mn-doped crystals were found to be highly transparent and clear. The crystals doped with Yb 2 O 3 had a lot of precipitations making them opaque. The Co-doped crystals were purple-blue in colour and highly transparent. The growth of Yb and Co doped Li 2 B 4 O 7 crystals was reported for the first time in this paper. Absorption was measured in the range of 200 to 3200 nm, moreover analysis of changes in the absorption spectrum of γ-irradiated pure and doped Li 2 B 4 O 7 crystals was performed. Some thermoluminescence properties were measured, e.g. energies and lifetimes of the traps of different charge carriers occurring in the crystals at low temperatures.

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