In this paper, the absorption spectrum and the fluorescence (or emission) spectrum of the Nd 3+∶ Y 0.5Gd 0.5VO 4 crystal were measured; Its strong absorption wavelength is at 808 5 nm; Its π polarized absorption is stronger than its σ polarized absorption and their FWHM are 4 5 nm and 8 5 nm, respectively, their absorption cross section are 19 69×10 -20 cm 2 and 6 41×10 -20 cm 2, respectively; Fluorescence (or emission) spectrum FWHM at 1064 nm is 3 7 nm; Its fluorescence lifetime is 110 μs (Nd:0.8at.-%); These properties show that Nd3+:Y0.5Gd0.5VO4 crystal is a kind of potential efficient laser material.