The polycrystalline Nd3 + :GdNbO4 was synthesized by high temperature solid-state reaction method, its structure was determined and its luminescence was studied. Nd3 + :GdNbO4 is monoclinic with the space group I2/a. The lattice parameters of (1 at%) Nd:GdNbO4 was determined by an internal standard method. The atom coordinates of Nd3 + :GdNbO4 were obtained by Rietveld refinement. Three emission bands of 925 nm, 1065 nm and 1345 nm under 808 nm light excitation were observed, which are from the transitions
of Nd3 + ion, respectively. The strongest emission peaks at 1065 nm from the transition
of Nd3 + . The study indicates that Nd3 + in GdNbO4 has strong crystal field interaction, and it is a potential laser material.