Single crystal growth of nonlinear optical L-arginine acetate is reported. Low temperature solution growth was employed for the growth of bulk single crystals. The cell parameters were determined by powder X-ray diffraction analysis. FTIR analysis was used to confirm the presence of various functional groups in the grown crystals. Thermal analysis was performed to study the thermal stability of the grown crystals. The crystals possess lower UV-cut off wavelength at,240 run as confirmed by the transmittance studies. Kurtz powder SHG measurement confirms the NLO property of the grown crystal. Laser damage threshold studies were also performed on the grown crystals. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.