Optical quality near stoichiometric lithium niobate (SLN) and Mn-doped SLN crystals have been grown by top-seeded solution growth from 55 mol% Li-rich solution. A uniform segregation of Mn throughout the crystal was obtained. Doping of Mn decreases the Curie temperature while the absorption edge shifts towards the longer wavelength region. The effect of Mn doping on the switching properties has been analyzed. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.