A current‐tunable Pb0.88Sn0.12Te diode laser was used to obtain the absorption spectrum of SF6near theP(16) andP(20) CO2laser lines at 10.6&mgr;m by both direct and heterodyne techniques. Because of its narrow linewidth, the diode laser can perform high‐resolution spectroscopy beyond the limits of conventional instruments moreover, its infrared frequency can be tuned continuously over a range much greater than attainable with a gas laser.