Growth and characterizations of acentric polyphosphate KGd0.95Nd0.05(PO3)4 crystals

► Large acentric KGd0.95Nd0.05(PO3)4 crystal with good quality has been grown. ► Crystal shape is bipyramid due to the quick growth rate along the b-axis. ► Strong absorption near 780 nm makes it suitable to be pumped by LD. ► Self-absorption of Nd3+ for SHG was weakened remarkably compared with KNP. ► Crystal would be a promising self-frequency-doubling laser material.