< 1 10 > benzophenone single crystal of diameter 60 min and length 50 mm was successfully grown by SR method using a seed fixed at the bottom of the ampoule. The obtained cylindrical morphology, solute-crystal conversion efficiency of 100%, growth at room temperature, less-sophisticated experimental set-up employed, growth in a chosen direction, possibility for avoidance of microbial growth and ease in scaling up of diameter are the vital advantages of this technique towards the growth of phase-matched SHG crystal for device application. The grown benzophenone crystal was characterized by XRD, phase-matching study and laser damage threshold measurement. The results evidence the suitability of this method for unidirectional growth of bulk single crystal. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.