Synchrotron radiation white-beam topography was used to investigate the defects in benzophenone crystals grown from undercooled melt. The individual grown defects, such as growth striations, dislocations, inclusions and cavities, were observed in the topographs. The origin of the defects in benzophenone crystals was analyzed, and the results indicated that the purity of materials and the degree of undercooling were the main causes of the formation of defects in benzophenone crystals. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.