Yb:YVO₄ is one of the most promising laser-active materials and more suitable for diode-pumping than the traditional Nd-doped systems. Compared with the commonly used Nd:YVO₄ crystal, Yb:YVO₄ crystal has a much larger absorption bandwidth to reduce thermal management requirements for diode lasers, a longer upper-laser level lifetime, three to four times lower thermal loading per unit pump power. Yb:YVO₄ crystal at 1030nm is a good substitute for a Nd:YVO₄ crystal at 1064nm and its second harmonic at 515nm may replace Ar-ion laser (with a large volume), which emit at 514nm.