High slope efficiency and low threshold laser performance have been achieved for both long pulsed and cw operation at 1.065 &mgr;m in Nd3+‐doped strontium fluorovanadate crystal, Nd3+:Sr5(VO4)3F, when pumped by narrow band pulsed Cr:LiSAF and cw Ti:sapphire lasers. However, there are inequivalent Nd3+sites in the crystal. The absorption of Nd3+ions in secondary sites, sites other than the site which contributes to lasing, may reduce the pumping efficiency and, consequently, the lasing efficiency. Strong concentration quenching of the Nd3+4F3/2state was also observed reducing the quantum efficiency of the laser transition from this state. ©1995 American Institute of Physics.