LiNbO3single crystals with a composition close to stoichiometry are grown by using a double crucible Czochralski method equipped with an automatic powder supply system. The photorefractive properties are compared with those ofLiNbO3crystals grown from the congruent composition melt. Two beam coupling experiments show that both nondoped and Fe-doped stoichiometric crystals exhibit stronger photorefractive effect than the Fe-doped congruent crystals.©1997 American Institute of Physics.