What is the Zebra Pulsed Power Lab?

The Zebra Pulsed Power Lab (ZPPL) was established by the University of Nevada, Reno and dedicated in 2000. Supported primarily by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), its mission is to conduct research and to train students in the field of high-energy-density (HED) science, the study of the behavior of matter subject to conditions of extreme temperature and density. This rapidly developing field explores the fourth state of matter, called plasma, under conditions similar to those occurring in the interiors of stars, nuclear fusion reactors, and lightning bolts.

Recent news from the Department of Physics

A man stands, smiling in front of a window looking into a room with desks and computers arranged toward large screens at the front of the room which say "Mission Control Center".

Faces of the Pack: Ivan Altunin

Physics student earns NASA internship

Illustration of space with galaxies floating around and a large bright spot in the middle with concentric purple circles that look like nets around it. The bright spot has two narrow, bright lines propagating to the left and right.

NSF funds $4.5 million effort to measure the world's most powerful lasers

A nationwide program with six coordinated projects will turn high-power laser shots into quantitative science

A large group of people, with one row sitting and another row standing behind, smile for a photo in the Joe Crowley Student Union.

Workshop explores a broader vision for lithium: fusion and fission energy applications

The interdisciplinary workshop brought scientists, businesspeople and government officials to the University campus