The comparative analysis of homogeneity was carried out for LiNbO3:Mg ([Mg] >= 5 mol%), grown of Nb2O5:Mg charge synthesized at homogeneous Mg doping during the extraction of Nb2O5 and of usual charge synthesized by adding MgO to the Nb2O5. Data obtained by optical microscopy and by Raman spectroscopy reveal that homogeneously doped crystals are more homogeneous and have better structure characteristics. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.