Coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy - Spectra of water vapor in flames

The results of experimental measurements of the coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectra of water vapor in flames are reported. A pulsed, frequency-doubled neodymium laser was used to supply the pump beam and to pump a dye laser to provide a broadband Stokes beam at 6600 A. Spectra were obtained in the postflame region of a premixed methane-air flame in the Raman frequency shift region of the symmetric stretch mode (3651.7 kaysers) at an approximate temperature of 1675 K. A theoretical calculation of the coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectrum of water vapor at this temperature was made, taking into account only isotropic Q-branch transitions, and using the energy level data of Floud et al. (1976). The theoretical prediction is shown essentially to reproduce all qualitative features of the experimental spectrum, and to exhibit a strong temperature dependence.