Stoichiometric lithium niobate single crystal has received much attention because of its excellent properties. We have grown a set of 2 in near-stoichiometric lithium niobate crystals by the melt supply method. The as-grown crystals were free of inclusion and crack. The composition and homogeneity of the crystals were obtained by the measurement of the linewidth of Raman modes and the UV absorption edge. It shows that the contents of Li2O in as-grown crystals are above 49.9 mol%, and theirs homogeneity is so good that the relative difference in the whole boule is less than +/- 0.025 mol%. Now, batch growth of bulk near-stoichiometric lithium niobate crystal has been realized by this melt supply method. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.