An energy transfer from chromium towards thulium ions is pointed out i
n LiNbO3:MgO under laser excitation into the T-4(2) chromium absorptio
n band. Its quantum yield was found to be 75% in the studied Cr-Tm co-
doped sample. The transfer is partly radiative and partly non-radiativ
e and is an average over different transfers concerning different coup
les of chromium and thulium sites.