An investigation of microchip laser and amplifier systems using the material Neodymium doped Yttrium orthovanadate (Nd:YV04) has been performed. This project takes advantage of recent improvements in the growth of Nd:YV04 to investigate its potential as a compact and simple single longitudinal mode laser. Such lasers (termed microchip lasers) have important applications in laser seeding, communications and frequency doubled micro-laser systems. The material has also been investigated as a compact optical amplifier.