We fabricated a high power Nd:YAG laser pumped by a 1 kW diode laser with a Lambertian-type diffusive reflector. Maximum cw power of 500 W with a slope efficiency of 49%, which corresponds to an optical efficiency of 46.7%, was obtained from a short linear resonator when a 5 mm rod was used. The efficiencies decreased when a 6 mm rod was used, due to the poor quality of the absorption distribution in the rod. The measured beam quality factor of 70, which is slightly smaller than the value calculated from the measured thermal focal lengths, shows that the absorption distribution in the rod is fairly uniform. iform.