The absorption spectra and fluorescence lifetime of high quality and highly doped Nd∶YAG crystals, grown by the temperature gradient technique in our laboratory were measured. The main absorption peak of Nd∶YAG crystal was 808 nm. The absorption coefficient of Nd∶YAG crystal with 0.030 mole fraction of Nd ion concentration was up to 20.7 cm -1 . The fluorescence lifetime was found to be 150 μs, and concentration quenching was shown. The laser characteristics comparative experiments of highly doped Nd∶YAG and Nd∶YVO 4 crystals pumped by a Ti∶sapphire laser were demonstrated. The mole fractions of concentration of Nd doped YAG crystals were 0.020 and 0.025, and the laser slope efficiency was 29.7% and 32% respectively. The mole fraction of concentraction of Nd doped YVO 4 was 0.030, and its laser slope efficiency was 34.7%. It suggested that high doped Nd∶YAG crystal was comparable in laser characteristics to high doped Nd∶YVO 4 crystal.