EXCITED-STATE ABSORPTION OF CR4+ ION IN FORSTERITE

Polarized differential absorption spectra of Cr4+-doped forsterite hav e been studied using a picosecond pump-probe technique. For pump beam and probe beam polarization parallel to the a axis, an excited state a bsorption in the 450-800 nm region is observed and assigned to the T-3 (2) --> T-3(1)(P-3) transition of Cr4+ ion. The lifetime of the T-3(1) (F-3) State is estimated to be less than 15 ps. (C) 1997 American Inst itute of Physics.