High-resolution cars spectroscopy of the CH-stretching mode of liquid benzene

High-resolution CARS spectra of the CH-stretching mode of liquid benzene at 3061.1 cm-1 have been obtained for the first time. We also record a Raman transition at 3045.1 cm-1, an overtone at 3167.6 cm-1, and a combination mode at 3186.1 cm-1. Relative strengths of the electronic and Raman contributions and the dephasing time of the CH-stretching mode are given and compared with known values for the ring breathing mode of benzene. We show that CARS offers a good method for determining the width of a Raman line. Enhancement of the non-resonant background due to two-photon absorption is discussed