A laser-induced fluorescence concept for improved interference-free imaging detection of the cyano radical (CN), an intermediate species in nitrogen combustion chemistry, has been investigated. Both a standard Nd:YAG-pumped dye laser and a solid-state alexandrite laser were employed for excitation of CN B-X (1-0) lines near 359 nm in combination with detection of the (1-1) band near 387 nm, providing a direct comparison of interferences and achievable detection sensitivity. Measurements in ammonia-doped premixed methane-air flames showed that the alexandrite laser, with longer pulse duration (similar to 30 ns) and broader line width (2.5 cm(-1)), can provide around 4 times stronger CN signal than that achievable with conventional Nd:YAG pumped dye laser system. Enhanced CN detection using alexandrite laser excitation is demonstrated that signal-to-noise ratio similar to 5 is achieved for single-shot fluorescence imaging at conditions with CN concentration levels experimentally estimated to be a few hundred ppbs. This improved detection sensitivity, however, might still not be sufficient for pure methane/air flames due to low CN concentration. Observations of local extinction, represented by CN layer dis-continuation, in turbulent flames suggest that the improved CN detection will be useful for deepened understanding of interactions between fuel-nitrogen chemistry and local turbulent transport in combustion. (C) 2014 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.