Nanosecond time-resolved Raman spectroscopy has been performed to study anthracene films using pump-probe technique. A Raman shift at 1404 cm (1), which is attributed to symmetric ring stretching mode in anthracene, was examined under laser-driven shock compression up to 1.6 GPa. During the shock compression, time-resolved Raman spectra with good S/N ratios are obtained, and the shock propagation and pressure are monitored in detail. The variations in Raman spectra imply that the overall line-width broadening is likely due to the shock pressure gradient, rather than the shock-induced temperature increase in anthracene film. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.