A single crystal of europium doped YSH was grown by the optical floating zone method for the first time. The scientists of the Shanghai University grew the crystal with a nominal composition of Hf_0.86Y_0.13Eu_0.01O_1.93 under air atmosphere in a vertical double-ellipsoid mirror furnace (SciDre HKZ), equipped with 6500 W Xe arc lamp as heating source. They determined the materials photoluminescence and scintillation properties and brought them into perspective with Lu₂O₃:Eu.