To cite this article: Ralf Menzel (1989) Modelling excited state absorption (ESA) measurements including the photophysical hole burning effect with rate equations, Molecular Excited state absorption measurements have usually to be modelled for the determination of the population densities in the different occupied excited states. Rate equations can be used for this purpose if the described experimental conditions are fulfilled. The photophysical hole burning (PPHB) effect may then be considered in an elementary way. Finally the decay rates of the different states and the holes can be determined. Fast routines for solving the system of differential equations are given allowing for an easy interactive analysis of the measurements on personal computers. The behaviour of the solutions for the two simplest models is discussed. The experimental results of PPHB measurements on crystal violet in 2-propanol were modelled using this formalism.