  We propose to generate optical vortices using a degenerate optical resonator
with an intra-cavity spiral phase plate (SPP). The rays retracing skewed
V-shaped paths in the resonator are phase-locked to form vortex laser with
wavefront dislocation mirroring the topological charge of the SPP. Experimental
demonstrations on diode-pumped solid state system using Nd:YAG crystal emitted
randomly polarized optical vortices at a wavelength of 1064nm when the pump
power went above 1.52W and the slope efficiency was 0.19. For long-term
operations a power fluctuation of 2.2\% and pointing stability of 2.6$\mu$rads
was measured. This system also serves an useful platform to study the laser
dynamics and to combine radiations coherently.
