Bi_<12>SiO_<20> (BSO) single crystal is a piezoelectric, electro-optic, magneto-optic, photoconductive, and photorefractive crystal. High quality BSO single crystals with diameter of 80 mm are grown by means of the Czochralski methods. They are applied to optically active devices such as optical-fiber voltage and current sensors for automatic control system of electric power line and optical spatial light modulators. In this article, the BSO crystal growth techniques and interesting applications are presented.
