A series of In:Ce:Cu:LiNbO3 crystals with different concentration of In2O3 were grown by the Czochralski method. The infrared transmission spectra and the photo-damage resistant ability of the crystals were measured. The OH- absorption peak of In(3 mol%):Ce:Cu:LiNbO3 crystal shifts to ultraviolet. The photo-damage resistant ability of In(3 mol%):Ce:Cu:LiNbO3 crystal is about two orders of magnitude higher than those of pure LiNbO3 and Ce:Cu:LiNbO3 crystals. The diffraction efficiency, response time of In:Ce:Cu:LiNbO3 crystals were tested by two-wave coupling experiment. The response time of In(3 mol%):Ce:Cu:LiNbO3 crystal only one fourth of that of Ce:Cu:LiNbO3. The mechanism of OH- absorption peak shifting and photo-damage resistant ability enhancement were discussed. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.