Spatially multiplexed femtosecond/picosecond coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering for multipoint array measurements

A novel, to the best of our knowledge, method for multipoint hybrid femtosecond/picosecond rotational coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering measurements is presented. The pump/Stokes and probe beams are each split into 16 discrete points with 90 and 24 µJ/pulse, respectively, using simple diffractive optical elements, which are used in combination with a focusing lens and narrowband spectral amplifier for 1 kHz excitation along a linear array of probe volumes. Single-shot and averaged temperature and O₂/N₂ profile measurements are demonstrated along a line with 1 mm spacing in room temperature and heated N₂ flows. This enables measurements over varying spatial extents for 1D profiles and potentially 2D grids in a simple and compact optical arrangement.