Yb∶CaGdAlO4 (abbreviated as Yb∶CALGO) crystal has partially disordered structure, excellent thermal and spectral properties, broad absorption and emission band, and is suitable to be pumped by the high-power InGaAs laser diode (LD) to achieve high power ultra fast laser. The high nonlinear refractive index coefficient of Yb∶CALGO is beneficial to the optimization of its mode-locked laser. The Yb∶CALGO crystal also has the advantages of simple energy levels, low intrinsic quantum defect and high radiation quantum efficiency etc, and thus becomes the new generation of LD pumped femtosecond laser gain medium in recent years, with the advantages of compact structure, high efficiency and low cost etc. This paper provides a brief view of the crystal structure, crystal growth, defect analysis, thermal properties and spectral properties of Yb∶CALGO crystal, and mainly focuses on the recent progress of ultra fast laser technologies based on the research results of Yb∶CALGO crystals, including the mode-locked technologies by the semiconductor saturation absorber mirror and Kerr lens mode-locked ultrafast laser, as well as the regenerative amplifier ultra fast laser technologies.