Transparent and homogeneous Nd:GdVO4 crystal have been obtained by the Czochralski method. The room temperature absorption spectra has been measured and compared with that of 0.2mol·L^-1 NdCl3 solution. The spectral strength parameters: Ω2=12.629×10^ -20cm^2, Ω4=4.828× 10^-20cm^2, Ω6=8.425×10^-20cm^2 of Nd^3 ion were fitted according to the Judd-Ofelt theory. The radiative transition probabilities AJ, J', oscillator strengths PJ, J', radiative lifetime τ and the branching ratio βJ' were also calculated. A highest output power of up to 14.3 W at 1.06μm was observed with a 4 mm thick Nd: GdVO4 crystal sample when pumped by a 26W cw laser diode array. The light-light conversion efficiency was 55%, with an average slope efficiency of 63%.

Key words: NEODYMIUM, CRYSTAL GROWTH, LASER CRYSTAL