Single crystals of L-Tartaric acid (C4H6O6), an organic nonlinear optical (NLO) material, have been grown by hanging seed solution and submerged seed solution techniques at room temperature. The crystal system has been confirmed from the single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystalline perfection was evaluated using high-resolution X-ray diffractometry (HRXRD). From this analysis, it was found that the quality of the crystal is quite good. The functional groups were identified using FTIR spectroscopy. UV-vis-NIR spectrum showed the absence of absorption in the wavelength region of 220-900 nm. The second harmonic generation efficiency is 89% compared to that of standard potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP). The laser damage threshold value is much higher than that of KDP and closer to that of beta-barium borate. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.