HIGH‐RESOLUTION INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY WITH A TUNABLE DIODE LASER

A current‐tunable Pb0.88Sn0.12 Te diode laser was used to obtain the absorption spectrum of SF6 near the P(16) and P(20) CO2 laser lines at 10.6μm 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.