Crystal growth of alpha-BBO in a modified low-gradient Czochralski furnace was performed. The distribution of temperature inside the furnace was described by a three-fold symmetry axis (L-3). The axial temperature gradient under the melt was similar to 2 K/cm, while that inside the melt was almost equal to zero. A 36 mm thick sample of the grown crystal shows extremely low 0.05 cm(-1) absorption coefficient at wavelengths > 220 nm. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.