Coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectra of oxygen atoms in flames

Coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) was used to detect oxygen atoms (electronic Raman scattering) and oxygen molecules (rotational Raman scattering) in both hydrogen-oxygen and methane-oxygen flames. The high spectral resolution of CARS is useful for distinguishing the oxygen-atom signals from larger nearby rotational Raman signals. Saturation of the molecular CARS signal that is due to stimulated Raman scattering was observed. This effect limits the sensitivity of the CARS method.