A scandium orthovanadate (ScVO4) single crystal doped with Nd at a concentration of 0.5 at% with dimensions of phi 8 x 35 mm(2) has to our knowledge for the first time been successfully grown by the floating zone method. The absorption spectrum was measured at room temperature, showing that the transition from I-4(9/2) to F-4(5/2)+H-2(9/2) is centered at 810 nm with FWHM 6.9 nm. Laser performance of the Nd:ScVO4 crystal at 1068 nm was demonstrated. A maximum average output power of 240 mW was achieved under a pump power of 5.19 W. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.