Validation of a rotational coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering model for N2O at temperatures from 295K to 796K

Pure rotational coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectra of N2O was recorded in a series of temperature calibrated cell measurements in the region 295-796K. A theoretical rotational CARS code for N2O was implemented and temperature analysis was performed by fitting the modeled theoretical spectra to the experimental spectra. Excellent agreement between the experimental and modeled spectra was obtained and the thermometric accuracy for the measurements was evaluated to be better than 1%. Also, rotational N2 CARS spectra were recorded at the same measurement conditions and the temperature analysis performed on these spectra resulted in the same accuracy. The peak signal strength was found to be similar to 5 times stronger for N2O than for N2 at ambient temperature and pressure. The temperature precision was evaluated to a relative standard deviation of 2.0%-2.7% in the studied temperature range, about half of the values for N2, which is attributed to the larger number of spectral lines for N2O. Rotational N2O CARS thermometry show great potential, because of a high Raman cross-section and large number of populated rotational states at any temperature. Copyright (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.