Influence of Li/Nb ratios on defect structure and photorefractive properties of Zn: In: Fe: LiNbO3 crystals

► A series of Zn: In: Fe: LiNbO3 crystals are grown by the Czochralski technique with various ratios of Li/Nb = 0.94, 1.05, 1.20 and 1.38 in the melt. ► The results of the experiments showed that the [Li]/[Nb] ratio increases, the write time is shortened and the photorefractive sensitivity is improved. ► The results indicate that with increasing the [Li]/[Nb] ratio in melt, [Li]/[Nb] ratio increases and goes up continuously in the crystal, the segregation coefficients of both Zn and In ions decrease.