The present invention provides a photorefractive potassium niobate (KNbO3 ) crystal including a first impurity added substitutionally to the niobium (Nb) site and a second impurity added substitutionally to the potassium (K) site, wherein the first and second impurities are different. There is also provided a method of making the codoped potassium niobate crystal (KNbO3 ) of the present invention wherein the method includes adding at least one of the impurities to a melt composition during crystal growth, adding at least one of the impurities into an existing crystal using thermal diffusion, and/or adding at least one of impurities into an existing crystal using electrically assisted diffusion.