Time-resolved polarization-sensitive measurements of the electric field in a sliding discharge by means of dc-field-induced coherent Raman scattering

Summary form only given. The analysis of the general polarization properties of dc-field-induced coherent Raman scattering allows us to suggest this process as a convenient method for nonintrusive local measurements of dc and quasi-static electric fields. We experimentally studied the properties of the IR signal generated through coherent Raman scattering involving the Q(1) transition (/spl nu/= 0, J = 1/spl rarr/ /spl nu/=1, J=1) of a hydrogen molecule in the presence of the quasi-static electric field of the sliding discharge propagating along a ferrite surface in a hydrogen atmosphere. Using the results of polarization time-resolved measurements performed on this signal, we were able to estimate the strength of the electric field around the sliding discharge leader, as well as to determine the orientation and to measure the dynamics of the normal and transverse components of this field. The proposed and experimentally implemented technique of polarization CRS measurements permitted us to observe how the vector of the quasi-static electric field rotates as the discharge leader propagates along the ferrite surface. This nonlinear-optical time-resolved polarization-sensitive method of electric-field measurements seems to offer much promise for discharge and plasma diagnostics.