Abstract
A melt supplying double crucible technique was described. Nearly stoichiometric lithium niobate (NSLN) crystals were grown in a lower crucible with a melt composition of [Li
2O]/[Nb
2O
5]=58/42, and the melt was continuously added from a higher crucible. The composition of the adding melt was [Li
2O]/[Nb
2O
5]=36/64, far away from the stoichiometric point of 50/50. NSLN crystals of 3
in. were successfully grown, and the average concentration of Li
2O was 49.85
mol% with a radial composition deviation of ±0.02
mol% and an axial composition deviation less than ±0.03
mol%/cm.