Electrostrictive limit in the detection of weak stimulated Raman signals in gases

0377-0486; It is shown experimentally that, in stimulated Raman spectroscopy, electrostriction induced by the pump laser gives rise to a non-resonant signal detected on the probe laser. This phenomenon limits the detectivity of the experiment. A qualitative interpretation is given. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.