Emission, excitation and photoacoustic absorption data are presented. The radiative decay time at room temperature and 77 K are measured. The nonradiative relaxation time and the characteristic thermal-diffusion time are obtained. The near IR fluorescence band observed in this iron doped compound is assigned to the symmetry and spin-forbidden T-4(1)((4)G)-->(6)A(1)(S-6) transitions of tetrahedrally coordinated Fe3+ ions. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.1052135138