The photoluminescence (excitation, emission, and fluorescence decay time) spectra of spinel (Ti:MgAl2O4) excited by pulsed Nd:YAG and dye lasers have been systematically investigated. Excitation into theT2g→Egcrystal‐field transition of Ti3+produces a broad infrared emission band at 805 nm which could, in principle, be used for tunable laser applications. Two different Ti3+centers with lifetimes of 4.2 and 41 &mgr;s contribute to this emission. At the same time this IR band can also be observed under high‐intensity excitation in the ultraviolet region (266 nm) via a two‐photon process.