Optical pump-and-probe experiments performed at the nanosecond timescale on Cd_{1-x}Mn_{x}Te are reviewed. Recent studies have established that for low excitation densities thermo-magnetic modulations of the reflectivity prevail against other possible modulations. Hence the relaxation time of the signal directly reflects the spin relaxation of the Mn ions. Detailed studies of the modulation mechanisms give the opportunity to investigate some fundamental magneto-optical properties of the diluted magnetic semiconductors, otherwise beyond reach, such as the paramagnetic shift of the gap in the dilute regime.
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