Time‐resolved Raman studies on Al2O3: Cr3+: lifetime measurements of the excited‐state transition Ē → 2Ā

A time‐resolved intensified charge coupled device‐based Raman microspectrometer system dedicated to the study of solid samples is described, offering good optical, temporal and spatial resolution. The advantages of this approach are demonstrated on Al₂O₃:Cr³⁺, obtaining for the first time the temporal evolution of the excited state transition Ē → 2Ā. Moreover, the time dependence of the luminescence due to the chromium ion was also determined by the same Raman device. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.