The growth of bulkx beta-Ga2O3 single crystals by the Czochralski method is reported and discussed in terms of crucial growth conditions and correlated with basic electrical and optical properties of the obtained crystals. beta-Ga2O3 crystals have a tendency to a spiral formation due to free carrier absorption in the near infrared (NIR) wavelength range, which hampers radiative heat transfer through the growing crystal. Moderate or low free electron concentrations (< 5 x 10(17) cm(-3)) lead to cylindrical crystals with a high crystallized fraction (g >= 0.5). The use of a CO2-containing growth atmosphere provides oxygen partial pressures between 0.8 and 44 x 10(-2) bar that is sufficient to obtain cylindrical and semiconducting crystals. Doping with Sn increases the free electron concentration in the crystals to high values (similar to 10(19) cm(-3)) that lead to an immediate spiral formation, while doping with Mg (> 6 wt ppm) provides insulating crystals with reduced probability of the spiral formation. The estimated Mg equilibrium segregation coefficient across the liquid-solid interface is 0.10-0.12. Annealing of undoped crystals in an oxidizing atmosphere at temperatures >= 1200 degrees C for 20 h decreases the bulk free electron concentration by about one order of magnitude, while the crystal surface becomes insulating. However, Mg:beta-Ga2O3 crystals are insensitive to annealing in both oxygen- and hydrogen-containing atmospheres. The transmittance spectra showed a steep absorption edge at 260 nm and virtually full transparency in the visible and NIR wavelength range for low and moderate free electron concentrations. We also demonstrated the possibility of growing 2 in. diameter beta-Ga2O3 single crystals by the Czochralski method. The good crystal quality is evidenced by rocking curve FWHM values of below 50". We noted that most dislocations propagate parallel to (100) plane. Further, we also provide thermal properties of the crystals as a function of temperature. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.