A novel organic nonlinear optical crystal L-pyrrolidone-2-carboxylic acid (L-PCA) has been found to be phase matchable for second harmonic generation (SHG) and sum frequency mixing down to the UV range to room temperature. Single crystals of L-PCA were grown by slow evaporation of the solvent at ambient temperature. L-PCA single crystals upto dimensions of 1.2 x 1.8 x 0.3 cm(3) have been grown. SHG was demonstrated using Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. Powder X-ray diffraction pattern has been obtained using Cu Kx line (1.5418 Angstrom). The lattice parameters have been calculated and it agrees well with the reported values. FTIR spectra shows the stretching and vibrational modes and presence of carboxyl functional groups in the compound. Dielectric studies have been carried out for the samples, at different frequencies from 5 kHz to 1 MHz. Scanning Electron Microscopy studies has been carried out on the surface of the grown crystals to investigate the nature of defects in the crystal surface. Laser damage threshold value of 17 GW/cm(2) has been determined using Q-switched Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm and with 20 ns pulses in single shot mode. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.