Alian Wang

Senior Research Scientist
Ph.D., Université des Sciences et Techniques de Lille Flandres Artois, France, 1987

In-situ planetary Raman spectroscopy

Structural and compositional characterization of minerals, and petrologic implications for on-surface planetary explorations

Peak positions in Raman spectroscopy can be used to estimate the Mg/(Mg+Fe+Ca) ratio of pyroxene and Mg/(Mg+Fe) ratio of olivive.  For pyroxene (above), the discrepancies between values derived by Raman spectroscopy and the electron microprobe (EMP) are <0.1.	Variation of Mg/(Mg+Fe) ratio of pyroxene and olivine grains in three linear traverses on a rock chip of EETA79001 Martian meteorite. Three different types of olivines were formed at different crystallization stages of this rock.

Development of Mars Microbeam Raman Spectrometer (MMRS)

Development physicist for rover (or lander)-based planetary Raman system

Titanium housing of a new brassboard model of MMRS and miniaturized electronics

Breadboarding a survey instrument for Mars surface exploration

Reduced carbon and water seeker funded by Astrobiology Science & Technology Instrument Development

Fluorescent image of crustose lichens on rocks

Responsible for three spectroscopy laboratories of Planetary Surface Materials Research group

In-situ Raman spectroscopy laboratory, reflective Mössbauer laboratory, near-mid IR laboratory

Raman spectroscopy lab (upper left), Mössbauer spectroscopy lab (upper right), and infrared spectroscopy lab (bottom).

Before Dr. Wang joined the Planetary Surface Materials Research group:

1. Modeling calculation of geological materials by using molecular dynamics and ab initio methods
2. Characterization of mineral inclusions in diamonds, implication for mantle geology 
3. Development of Raman spectra database of minerals and related inorganic compounds 
4. Mineral characterization by using infrared and Mössbauer spectroscopy
5. Computing program for spectral curve fitting of infrared and Mössbauer spectroscopy
6. Non-linear laser Raman spectroscopy in high-T gaseous phases

A. Wang, R. L. Korotev, B. L. Jolliff, L. A. Haskin, L. Crumpler, W. H. Farrand, K. E. Herkenhoff, P de Souza Jr., A. G. Kusack, J. A. Hurowitz, and N. J.Tosca, (2006), Evidence of Phyllosilicates in Wooly Patch, an Altered Rock Encountered at West Spur, Columbia Hills, by the Spirit Rover, J. Geophys. Res. 111, doi:10.1029/2005JE002516.

A. Wang, L. A. Haskin, S. W. Squyres, B. L. Jolliff, L. Crumpler, R. Gellert, C. Schröder, K. Herkenhoff, J. Hurowitz7, N. J. Tosca, W. H. Farrand, Robert Anderson, A. T. Knudson (2006), Sulfate deposition in subsurface regolith in Gusev Crater, Mars, J. Geophys. Res. 111, E02S17, doi:10.1029/2005JE002513.

R. E. Arvidson, S. W. Squyres, R. C. Anderson, J. F. Bell III, J. Brückner, N. A. Cabrol, W. M. Calvin, M. H. Carr, P. R. Christensen, B. C. Clark, L. Crumpler, D. J. Des Marais, C. d’Uston, T. Economou, J. Farmer, W. H. Farrand, W. Folkner, M. Golombek, S. Gorevan, J. A. Grant, R. Greeley, J. Grotzinger, E. Guinness, B. C. Hahn, L. Haskin, K. E. Herkenhoff, J. A. Hurowitz, S. Hviid, J. R. Johnson, G. Klingelhöfer, A. H. Knoll, G. Landis, C. Leff, M. Lemmon, R. Li, M. B. Madsen, M. C. Malin, S. M. McLennan, H. Y. McSween, D. W. Ming, J. Moersch, R. V. Morris, T. Parker, J. W. Rice Jr., L. Richter, R. Rieder, D. S. Rodionov, C. Schröder, M. Sims, M. Smith, P. Smith, L. A. Soderblom, R. Sullivan, S. D. Thompson, N. J. Tosca, A. Wang, H. Wänke, J. Ward, T. Wdowiak, M.Wolff, A. Yen, (2006), Overview of the Spirit Mars Exploration Rover Mission to Gusev Crater: Landing Site to the Methuselah Outcrop in the Columbia Hills, J. Geophys. Res. 111, E02S01,doi:10.1029/2005JE002499.

D. W. Ming, D. W. Mittlefehldt, R. V. Morris, D. C. Golden, R. Gellert, A. Yen, B. C. Clark, S. W. Squyres, W. H. Farrand, S. W. Ruff, R. E. Arvidson, G. Klingelhöfer, H. Y. McSween, D. S. Rodionov, C. Schröder P. A. de Souza, Jr., and A. Wang, (2006) Geochemical and Mineralogical Indicators for Aqueous Processes in the Columbia Hills of Gusev Crater, Mars, J. Geophys. Res. 111, E02S12, doi:10.1029/2005JE002560.

Steven W. Squyres, Raymond E. Arvidson, Diana L. Blaney, Benton C. Clark, Larry Crumpler, William H. Farrand, Stephen Gorevan, Kenneth E. Herkenhoff, Joel Hurowitz, Alastair Kusack, Harry Y. McSween, Douglas W. Ming, Richard V. Morris, Steven W. Ruff, Alian Wang,, and Albert Yen, (2006) The Rocks of the Columbia Hills, J. Geophys. Res. 111, E02S11, doi:10.1029/2005JE002562.

H. Y. McSween, M. B Wyatt, R. Gellert, J. F. Bell III, R. V. Morris, K. E. Herkenhoff, L. S. Crumpler, K. A. Milam, K. R. Stockstill, L. Tornabene, R. E. Arvidson, P. Bartlett, D. Blaney, N. A. Cabrol, P. R. Christensen, B. C. Clark, J. A. Crisp, D. J. Des Marais, T. Economou, J. D. Farmer, W. Farrand, A. Ghosh, M. Golombek, S. Gorevan, R. Greeley, V. E. Hamilton, J. R. Johnson, B. L. Joliff, G. Klingelhoefer, A. T. Knudson, S. McLennan, D. Ming, J. E. Moersch, R. Rieder, S. W. Ruff, C. Schroeder, P. A. de Souza Jr., S. W. Squyres, H. Wänke, A. Wang, A. Yen, J. Zipfel, (2006), Characterization and petrologic interpretation of olivine-rich basalts at Gusev Crater, Mars, J. Geophys. Res. 111, E02S10, doi:10.1029/2005JE002477.

L. S. Crumpler, S. W. Squyres, J. F. Bell, III, D. Blaney, N. A. Cabrol, P. R. Christensen, D. J. DesMarais, J. D. Farmer, R. Fergason, F. D. Grant, J. A. Grant, R. Greeley, B. Hahn, K. E. Herkenhoff, J. A. Hurowitz, A. T. Knudson, G. A. Landis, R. Li, J. Maki, H. Y. McSween, D. W. Ming, J. E. Moersch, M. C. Payne, J. W. Rice, L. Richter, S. W. Ruff, M. Sims, S. D. Thompson, N. Tosca, A. Wang, P. Whelley, S. P. Wright, M. B. Wyatt, (2005), MER Geologic Traverse Science by the Spirit Rover in the Plains of Gusev Crater, Mars, Geology 33, no.10, p.809-812, doi: 10.1130/G21673.1.

Haskin, L. A., A. Wang, B. L. Jolliff, H. Y. McSween, B. C. Clark, D. J. Des Marais, S. M. McLennan, N. J. Tosca, J. A. Hurowitz, J. D. Farmer, A. Yen, S. W. Squyres, R. E. Arvidson, G. Klingelhöfer, C. Schröder, P. A. de Souza, Jr., R. V. Morris, D. W. Ming, R. Gellert, J. Zipfel, J. Brückner, J. F. Bell, III, K. Herkenhoff, P. R. Christensen, S. Ruff, D. Blaney, S. Gorevan, N. A. Cabrol, L. Crumpler, J. Grant, and L. Soderblom (2005), Water Alteration of Rocks and Soils from the Spirit Rover Site, Gusev Crater, Mars, Nature 436, p. 66-69, doi:10.1038/nature03640.

Albert S. Yen, Ralf Gellert, Christian Schro¨der, Richard V. Morris, James F. Bell III, Amy T. Knudson,Benton C. Clark, Douglas W. Ming, Joy A. Crisp, Raymond E. Arvidson, Diana Blaney, Johannes Bru¨ckner,Philip R. Christensen, David J. DesMarais, Paulo A. de Souza Jr, Thanasis E. Economou, Amitabha Ghosh,Brian C. Hahn, Kenneth E. Herkenhoff, Larry A. Haskin, Joel A. Hurowitz, Bradley L. Joliff,Jeffrey R. Johnson, Go¨star Klingelho¨fer, Morten Bo Madsen, Scott M. McLennan, Harry Y. McSween,Lutz Richter, Rudi Rieder, Daniel Rodionov, Larry Soderblom, Steven W. Squyres, Nicholas J. Tosca,Alian Wang, Michael Wyatt, Jutta Zipfel, (2005) An integrated view of the chemistry and mineralogy of martian soils, Nature 436, p. 49-54, doi:10.1038/nature03637.

R. E. Arvidson, R. C. Anderson, P. Bartlett, J. F. Bell, III, D. Blaney, P. R. Christensen, P. Chu, L. Crumpler, K. Davis, B. L. Ehlmann, R. Fergason, M. P. Golombek, S. Gorevan, J. A. Grant, R. Greeley, E. A. Guinness, A. F. C. Haldemann, K. Herkenhoff, J. Johnson, G. Landis, R. Li, R. Lindemann, H. McSween, D. W. Ming, T. Myrick, L. Richter, F. P. Seelos, IV, S. W. Squyres, R. J. Sullivan, A. Wang, J. Wilson, (2004), Localization and Physical Properties Experiments Conducted by Spirit at Gusev Crater, Science 305, p. 821-824.

J. F. Bell, III, S. W. Squyres, R. E. Arvidson, H. M. Arneson, D. Bass, D. Blaney, N. Cabrol, W. Calvin, J. Farmer, W. H. Farrand, W. Goetz, M. Golombek, J. A. Grant, R. Greeley, E. Guinness, A. G. Hayes, M. Y. H. Hubbard, K. E. Herkenhoff, M. J. Johnson, J. R. Johnson, J. Joseph, K. M. Kinch, M. T. Lemmon, R. Li, M. B. Madsen, J. N. Maki, M. Malin, E. McCartney, S. McLennan, H. Y. McSween, Jr.,D. W. Ming, J. E. Moersch, R. V. Morris, E. Z. Noe Dobrea, T. J. Parker, J. Proton, J. W. Rice, Jr., F. Seelos, J. Soderblom, L. A. Soderblom, J. N. Sohl-Dickstein, R. J. Sullivan, M. J. Wolff, A. Wang, (2004) Initial Pancam Multispecral Imaging Results from the Mars Exploration Rover Gusev Landing Site, Science 305, p 810-821.

K. E. Herkenhoff, S. W. Squyres, R. Arvidson, D. S. Bass, J. F. Bell, III, P. Bertelsen, N. A. Cabrol L. Gaddis, A. G. Hayes, S. F. Hviid, J. R. Johnson, K. M. Kinch, M. B. Madsen, J. N. Maki, S. M. McLennan, H. Y. McSween, J. W. Rice, Jr., M. Sims, P. H. Smith, L. A. Soderblom, N. Spanovich, R. Sullivan, A. Wang, (2004) First Results of the Spirit Microscopic Imager Investigation, Science 305, p824-826

R. Greeley, S. W. Squyres, R. E. Arvidson, P. Bartlett, J. F. Bell, III, D. Blaney, N. A. Cabrol, J. Farmer, B. Farrand, M. P. Golombek, S. P. Gorevan, J. A. Grant, A. F. C. Haldemann, K. E. Herkenhoff, J. Johnson, G. Landis, M. B. Madsen, S. M. McLennan, J. Moersch, J. W. Rice, Jr., L. Richter, S. Ruff,1 R. J. Sullivan, S. D. Thompson, A. Wang, C. M. Weitz, P. Whelley, Athena Science Team (2004), Gusev Crater, Mars: Wind-related features and processes at the MER Spirit site, Science 305, p. 810-821.

H. Y. McSween, R. E. Arvidson, J. F. Bell, III, D. Blaney, N. A. Cabrol, P. R. Christensen, B. C. Clark, J. A. Crisp, L. S. Crumpler, D. J. Des Marais, J. D. Farmer, R. Gellert, A. Ghosh, S. Gorevan, T. Graff, J. Grant, L. A. Haskin, K. E. Herkenhoff, J. R. Johnson, B. L. Jolliff, G. Klingelhoefer, A. T. Knudson, S. McLennan, K. A. Milam, J. E. Moersch, R. V. Morris, R. Rieder, S. W. Ruff, P. A. de Souza, Jr., S. W. Squyres, H. Wänke, A. Wang, M. B. Wyatt, A. Yen, J. Zipfel, (2004), Basaltic rocks at the Spirit Landing Site in Gusev Crater, Science 305, 842-845.

Wang A., Kuebler K. E., Jolliff B. L., and Haskin L. A. (2004) Mineralogy of a Martian Meteorite as Determined by Raman Spectroscopy. J. Raman Spectroscopy 35, 504-514.

Wang A., Kuebler K. E., Jolliff B. L., and Haskin L. A. (2004) Raman spectroscopy of Fe-Ti-Cr-oxides, case study: martian meteorite EETA79001, American Mineralogist 89, 665-680.

Wang A., Haskin L. A., Lane A. L., Wdowiak T. J., Squyres S. W., Wilson R. J., Hovland L. E., Manatt k. S., Raouf N., and Smith C. D. (2003) Development of the Mars Microbeam Raman Spectrometer (MMRS), J. Geophys. Res. 108, 5005, doi:10.1029/2002JE001902, 2003.

Wang A., Jolliff B. L., Haskin L. A., Kuebler K. E., Viskupic K. M., (2001), Characterization and comparison of structural and compositional features of planetary quadrilateral pyroxenes by Raman spectroscopy, American Mineralalogist 86, 790-806.

See also Department Publications

Complete publication list
recent abstracts by the Planetary Materials Research Group
More info about the Raman and near & mid infrared spectroscopy laboratories

314-935-5671	alianw@levee.wustl.edu
314-935-7361