Abstract

Over the last six years stimulated Raman spectroscopy (SRS) has established itself as a viable technique for obtaining rotationally resolved Raman spectra of gas-phase molecules.¹ Instrumental linewidths of the order of 0.002 cm⁻¹ are routinely achieved using cw probe lasers and near- Fourier-transform-limited-bandwidth pulsed pump lasers. However, as is often the case for Raman techniques, a major limitation is found in the relatively poor sensitivity of SRS compared to laser- induced fluorescence or resonant laser ionization techniques.

© 1986 Optical Society of America