HTTSSG growth of stoichiometric lithium niobate (sLN) from K2O containing melt was investigated in order to establish optimal condition for facet-free growth of crystals pulled along the Z=< 0001 > axis. Elimination of pyramidal facets and flow instabilities was achieved by a gradually adjusted rotation rate program at thermal conditions characterized by the relation Gr/Re-2 > 1 assuring a crystallization front conformed to the very low convexity requirement. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V.