We present the crystal growth of monoclinic KGd(WO
4)
2 codoped with holmium and thulium by a top-seeded solution growth and slow cooling method. Macrodefect-free crystals with
sizes about 8.5×5×12 (
a*×b×ca^{\ast}\times{b}\times{c}, dimensions in mm) were obtained. A complete study of the spectroscopic parameters of the holmium emission
${}{}, around 2 microns, sensitized by the thulium ion, was made. Polarized absorption measurements were performed to characterize
the optimum pumping wavelength in the system. The maximum value of the cross section is 8.0×1020 cm2 with E//N
p direction at a wavelength value of 794 nm. The emission cross section of the 2-micron holmium transition has been calculated
by the reciprocity method. The experimental lifetime of the 5
I
7 level has been measured in relation to holmium and thulium concentrations.
PACS 81.10.-h; 42.55.Rz; 78.55.-m