The spectral absorbance of Cr:forsterite has been studied and found to
be highly polarization dependent. At the two orthogonal polarizations
, the spectral absorbance peaks at 732nm and 662nm respectively. Effic
ient pumping of the Cr:forsterite at the wavelengths in the two strong
absorption bands can thus be expected. Room temperature, pulsed laser
operation of chromium-doped forsterite in a plane-plane mirror cavity
, pumped with a tunable Ti:sapphire laser at 732 nm has been demonstra
ted for the first time. The laser characteristics have been significan
tly improved compared to those pumped at 532 nm from a Nd:YAG laser in
the same cavity.