In this work we present a new technique for attaining efficient low-background coherent Raman scattering where the Raman coherence is mediated by a tunable infrared laser in two-photon resonance with a chosen vibrational transition. In addition to the traditional benefits of conventional coherent Raman schemes, this approach offers a number of advantages including potentially higher emission intensity, reduction of non-resonant fourwave mixing (FWM) background, preferential excitation of the

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... i-Stokes field, and simplified phase matching conditions. In particular, this is demonstrated in gaseous methane along the ν1 (A1) and ν3 (T2) vibrational levels using an infrared field tuned between 1400-1600 cm −1 and a 532 nm pump field. This approach has broad applications from coherent light generation to spectroscopic remote sensing and chemically specific imaging in microscopy.