The deuterium fluoride laser constructionally resembles a rocket engine. In its combustion chamber,
ethylene is burned in
nitrogen trifluoride, producing free excited
fluorine radicals. Just after the nozzle, the mixture of
helium and either
hydrogen or
deuterium gas is injected to the exhaust stream. The hydrogen or deuterium reacts with the fluorine radicals, producing excited molecules of hydrogen fluoride or deuterium fluoride, respectively. The excited molecules then undergo
stimulated emission in the
optical resonator region of the laser. Deuterium fluoride lasers have found military applications: the
MIRACL laser, the
Pulsed energy projectile anti-personnel weapon, and the
Tactical High Energy Laser are of the deuterium fluoride type. == Fusion ==