The BaLu2F8 crystals doped with 1 mol% Tm, Nd and Er were prepared by micro-pulling-down method to study their scintillation and luminescence properties. The unwanted phase transition from orthorhombic structure to monoclinic one, which occurs some 50 °C below the melting point, was avoided using Li-flux. No Li-containing secondary phase was observed. Radioluminescence measurements of Nd-doped samples revealed 5d-4f Nd3+ luminescence situated around 180nm, the intensity of which was comparable with that of the LaF3:Nd 8% reference scintillator sample. Further slight enhancement of the Nd3+ 5d-4f emission was achieved by Tm3+ co-doping probably due to energy transfer from the Tm3+ 5d levels to the Nd3+ ones. (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)