Translucent CaGa2S4:Ce thin films were prepared by pulsed laser deposition. Optical absorption associated with the 4f(1) (F-2(5/2)) to 5d(2) second-highest excited state transition of the Ce3+ ion was clearly observed at 3.60 eV as well as the 4f(1) (F-2(5/2)) to 5d(1) lowest excited state transition at 2.93 eV. Energy splitting of the 5d state by the crystal field is discussed in terms of a model of a square antiprism structure with D-4d symmetry. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.