The crystal growth of NiMnGa magnetic shape memory alloys was investigated by the optical zone melting method. Slightly macroscopic convex and planar solid-liquid interfaces were achieved by controlling the molten zone morphologies. Single crystals were successfully prepared in three typical series of NiMnGa magnetic shape memory alloys, including stoichiometric Ni50Mn25Ga25, Ni-rich NiMnGa and Mn-rich NiMnGa alloys. Studies on the solute partition during crystal growth revealed the enrichment of Mn and deficiency of both Ni and Ga in front of the solid-liquid interface for both stoichiometric and Mn-rich NiMnGa alloys, while a slight enrichment of Ni for Ni-rich NiMnGa alloys. An initial transient stage was determined to be about 20 mm, and a uniform composition distribution existed along the axis of the crystals in the stable growth parts, which matches well with the proposed mathematic model. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.