Raman measurements play an important role in examining the molecular changes associated with shock-induced structural and chemical changes in condensed materials.We combine a high spectra-resolution Raman system with a two-stage light gas gun to provide better quality data than the transient Raman system used previously.Representative measurements are presented for the shock compression of benzene.The high spectralresolution data have provided an insight into molecular changes that could not be obtained from time-resolved methods.