Single-beam coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering spectroscopy of N2 using a shaped 7 fs laser pulse

The feasibility is explored by single-beam coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering CARS spectroscopy of gas-phase diatomic molecules related to combusting flows, with implications for gas-phase thermometry. We demonstrate CARS of gas-phase N2 using a shaped 7 fs laser pulse, investigate the dependence of the CARS signal on the total pressure of the probed environment, both in pure N2 and in mixtures with Ar, discuss the observed signal-to-noise ratio, and suggest improvements to be considered for reliable single-shot measurements at flame temperatures. © 2009 American Institute of Physics. DOI: 10.1063/1.3207829