Sc-doped near-stoichiometric LiNbO3 (Sc:SLN) crystals were grown from Li-rich solutions with Sc concentrations of up to 1.3 mol% by a top-seeded solution-growth method. We investigated the Sc-doping effects on the effective distribution coefficient, photorefractive damage (optical damage), the OH-absorption peak position, transmittance spectra, the ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices (n(o) and n(e)), and the electric field needed for domain inversion. The Sc:SLN crystals doped with a Sc-doping concentration of 0.4mol% or more showed no photorefractive damage. This critical Sc-doping concentration in the SLN crystal was one-fifth that in a congruent-melt composition LN (CLN) crystal which requires at least 2 mol% Sc (I mol% Sc2O3) to suppress photorefractive damage. The 0.4 mol% Sc doping needed to suppress photorefractive damage in the SLN crystal was also low compared to the I mol% required for Mg doping. Except for n(o) and n(e), all of the measured properties were influenced by the Sc-doping effect. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.