Article

Abstract

In-situ real time CARS (coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy) spectra of the nu1 mode of SF6 were recorded in a discharge tube with varying delay times between the discharge pulse and the CARS detection pulse. Theoretical CARS spectra were calculated for the nu1 mode of SF6 at various vibrational temperatures. Based on relationships between line width, frequency shift, and temperature, a best fit method was developed to extract the temperatures from experimental line shapes instead of peak intensities. The kinetic behaviour of the vibrational temperature of SF6 during the discharge pulse was thus obtained. This method is useful for examination of chemical and physical processes in which the total population in a specific vibrational mode changes. PACS No.:33.20f