Intensities in pure rotational CARS of air

Two-photon stimulated Raman excitation of thermal laser-induced gratings in molecular gases using broadband radiation of a single laser

For the first time to our knowledge, thermal laser-induced gratings (LIGs), generated via two-photon stimulated Raman excitation of pure rotational (and low-lying vibrational) transitions in molecules employing broadband radiation of a single pump laser, are observed. The efficiency of LIGs excitation using a few ns pulse duration dye laser with the spectral width of about 400 cm(-1), which covers the frequency range of the characteristic rotational transitions, is experimentally investigated in a number of molecular gases (N(2), CO(2), C(3)H(8)) at room temperature and pressures of 0.1-5 bar. The physical mechanisms of LIG formation are discussed and comparison of the shapes of the LIG signals obtained in different gases is presented in relation to the spectra of rotational and vibrational energies of the molecules under study, as well as to the selection rules for Raman transitions.

Stray Light Rejection in Rotational Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Spectroscopy by use of a Sodium-Seeded Flame

A common experimental problem with rotational coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) is undesired spectral interference that is due to stray light from the primary laser beams. Also, for the most developed approach, dual-broadband rotational CARS, practical measurements often suffer from stray light interference from the narrow-band laser, inasmuch as the CARS signal is produced inherently in the spectral vicinity of the narrow-band laser beam. An optical filter does not provide a sufficiently sharp transmission profile, thus leading to signal loss and spectral distortion of the rotational CARS signal. An atomic filter consisting of a sodium-seeded flame is presented here as a solution to the problem, and its usefulness was demonstrated in dual-broadband rotational CARS experiments.

Rotational CARS: a comparison of different techniques with emphasis on accuracy in temperature determination

Different rotational CARS techniques have been evaluated in terms of single-shot temperature accuracy and signal intensity in room temperature nitrogen and in flames. The different techniques include both dual broadband techniques, using one or two broadband dye lasers, and conventional rotational CARS with different dye lasers. These techniques are also compared with vibrational CARS concerning temperature accuracy and with theoretical predictions. The results indicate that the dual broadband techniques are to be preferred over conventional rotational CARS and also over vibrational CARS at room temperature. At flame temperatures the vibrational CARS technique seems to be the technique yielding highest temperature accuracy. The experimental results are also generally in good agreement with the calculated values.

Simultaneous acquisition of pure rotational and vibrational nitrogen spectra using three-laser coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy

Three-laser coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) was used to acquire simultaneously pure rotational and vibrational spectra from the nitrogen molecule. This technique has the potential for accurate temperature measurements over a wider temperature range than either vibrational or pure rotational CARS alone. Third-order susceptibilities for three-laser CARS are derived, and polarization effects are discussed.