Crystals of potassium titanyl arsenate were prepared by top seeded solution growth from a tungstate flux. X-ray topography revealed extensive growth banding in several sectors, associated with temperature induced fluctuations in composition and impurity content. This was confirmed to some extent by energy dispersive X-ray analysis measurements which revealed significant levels of tungsten incorporation from the flux and higher levels of iron impurity from the starling materials. The overall dislocation density in (0 1 1) and (0 0 1) growth sectors was determined to be < 10(2) cm(-2). X-ray diffraction rocking curve measurements confirmed a low average strain across the crystal. Q 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B,V.