Based on the analytical theory of aeolotropy

thermal distortion and temperature field distributions of laser crystal are investigated when Nd:YVO4 crystal with rectangular section is end-pumped by a laser beam of super-Gaussian distribution from a Diode Laser. By analyzing the working characteristics of the Nd:YVO4 laser crystal

a thermal model that accords with the working state of the laser crystal is established taking into account of the distribution and the radius change of laser beam. By using a kind of new solution to the heat conduction equation of the anisotropic medium

general solution expressions of the temperature field and the thermal distortion field of Nd:YVO4 crystal with rectangular section are obtained. Results show that a maximum temperature rise of 243.8C and a maximum thermal distortion of 1.99 m can be obtained in the center of the pump face when the Nd:YVO4 laser crystal is pumped by a Diode Laser with a output power of 15 Watt from the center of end face (the weight percent of neodymium ion doped in the crystal equals 0.5% )

which is in agreement with experimental results. This method can also be applied to the research on the other thermal problems of laser crystal and offer theoretical basis for effectively solving the thermal problems in laser system.