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 [Li2O]/[Nb2O5] = 58/42, and the melt was continuously added from a higher crucible. The composition of the adding melt was [Li2O]/[Nb2O5] = 36/64, far away from the stoichiometric point of 50/50. NSLN crystals of 3 in. were successfully grown, and the average concentration of Li2O was 49.85 mol% with a radial composition deviation of +/- 0.02 mol% and an axial composition deviation less than +/- 0.03 mol%/cm. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.