Test of an optical parametric oscillator -OPO- as a compact and fast tunable stokes source in coherent anti-stokes raman spectroscopy -CARS-

An optical parametric oscillator (OPO), as a novel kind of broadband Stokes source, is employed for coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS). Compared to the conventional dye laser configuration OPO-CARS offers practical advantages. The tunable OPO allows a fast and comfortable frequency tuning. The excitation bandwidth of about 35 cmhigh-1 (FWHM) limits the spectral range of effective and stable single pulse CARS generation but can be used to enhance selected spectral structures.