Brigitte Wopenka
Senior Research Scientist and Laser Raman Facilities
Specialist
Ph.D., Technical University of Vienna, 1982
Dr. Wopenka is an analytical chemist who specializes in the
application of micro-sampling vibrational spectroscopy. She uses micro-Raman,
micro-FTIR, and micro-fluorescence techniques to study samples from the
Earth, the Moon, and the stars. Her work involves the qualitative and
quantitative analysis of fluid inclusions, carbonaceous materials, gems,
meteorites, interplanetary dust particles, interstellar grains, and biomaterials
(bones, dentin, enamel). Together with her colleague Professor Jill
Dill Pasteris , she set up one of the first laser Raman microprobe
laboratories in the United States in 1983 (a
single-channel Jobin-Yvon RAMANOR U-1000). Since then, our Laser Raman
Spectroscopic Facility has acquired two more laser Raman microprobes (a
multichannel Jobin-Yvon S-3000; retired in 2001), and an integrated, fiber-optically
coupled microscope-spectrometer-detector system (multichannel
HoloLab from Kaiser Optical Systems), and continues to be on the forefront
in the application of the Raman microprobe technique to problems of geological
and mineralogical nature.
Dr. Wopenka's past and present research projects involve the
following:
 Structural
characterization of graphites and kerogens
Medical
mineralogy and biomineralization (from a whale rostrum to mouse bones)
Raman
spectroscopy in situ on the sea floor (in collaboration with the Monterey
Bay Area Research Institute)
Raman
identification of high-pressure polymorphs of olivine, pyroxene and apatite
(e.g., wadsleyite, ringwoodite, majorite)
in heavily shocked meteorites
Structure
and thermal conductivity of pyrope-majorite garnets and hibonites relevant
for the Earth's mantle
(in collaboration with Anne
M. Hofmeister)
Archeological
studies (mineralogical composition of ancient Greek pottery)
Fingerprint
identification of minerals and their polymorphs with special emphasis
on zeolites and kornerupines
Interpretation
of site and factor group analyses, crystal field interactions,
and site group splittings of phosphate minerals
(apatites and whitlockites)
Laser-induced
fluorescence studies of trivalent rare earth element ions
Quantification
of the structural change in metamict zircons caused by the radioactive
decay of U and Th
Structural
characterization of interstellar grains (SiC and graphite)
Analysis
of individual fluid inclusions and individual interplanetary dust particles
by Fourier transform infrared and Raman
spectroscopy
Use
of Raman analyses of fluid inclusions in the C-O-H-N system (e.g., CO2,
CH4, N2, H2O)
to obtain answers to geological questions (e.g.,
volatile budget of the 1991 catastrophic eruption
of Mt. Pinatubo; evidence for highly acidic Permian
lake waters due to the presence of bisulfate
in fluid inclusions in halite from the Opeche
Shale)
Vibrational
spectroscopic characterization of natural and synthetic gems, and their
artifacts
Space Sciences:
A. Rotundi, G.A. Baratta, J. Borg, J.R. Brucato, H. Busemann,
L. Colangeli, L. D'Hendecourt, Z. Djouadi, G. Ferrini, I.A. Franchi,
M. Fries, F. Grossemy, L.P. Keller, V. Mennella, K. Nakamura, L.R. Nittler,
M.E. Palumbo, S.A. Sandford, A. Steele, and B. Wopenka (2008), Combined
micro-Raman, micro-infrared, and field emission scanning electron microscope
analyses of comet 81P/Wild 2 particles collected by Stardust. Meteoritics
and Planetary Sciences 43, 367-397.
S. A. Sandford, J. Aléon, C. M. O’D. Alexander,
T. Araki, S. Bajt, G. A. Baratta, J. Borg, J.P. Bradley, D.E. Brownlee,
J. R. Brucato, M. J. Burchell, H. Busemann, A. Butterworth, S. J. Clemett,
G. Cody, L. Colangeli, G. Cooper, L. D'Hendecourt, Z. Djouadi, J. P.
Dworkin, G. Ferrini, H. Fleckenstein, G. J. Flynn, I. A. Franchi, M.
Fries, M. K. Gilles, D. P. Glavin, M. Gounelle, F. Grossemy, C. Jacobsen,
L. P. Keller, A. L. D. Kilcoyne, J. Leitner, G. Matrajt, A. Meibom, V.
Mennella, S. Mostefaoui, L. R. Nittler, M. E. Palumbo,D.A. Papanastassiou,
F. Robert, A. Rotundi, C.J. Snead, Maegan K. Spencer, F.J. Stadermann,
Andrew Steele, Thomas Stephan, P. Tsou, T. Tyliszczak, A. J. Westphal,
S. Wirick, B. Wopenka, H. Yabuta, R. N. Zare, and M. Zolensky (2006)
Organics captured from Comet Wild 2 by the Stardust Spacecraft. Science
314, 1720-1724.
T. S. Sharp, A. El Goresy, B. Wopenka, and M. Chen (1999)
A post-stishovite SiO2 phase in the meteorite Shergotty:
Implications for impact events and the Earth's lower mantle. Science
284, 1511-1513.
B. Wopenka., B.L. Jolliff., E. Zinner E., and D.T. Kremser
(1996) Trace-element zoning and incipient metamictization in a lunar zircon:
Application of three different microprobe techniques. American Mineralogist
81, 902-912.
M. Chen, T. G. Sharp, A. El Goresy, B. Wopenka, and X.
Xie (1996) The majorite-pyrope + magnesiowüstite assemblage: Constraints
on the history of shock veins in chondrites. Science 271, 1570-1573.
B. Wopenka, M. Chen, and A. El Goresy (1996) Microsampling
Raman spectroscopy: A nifty technique for the unambiguous in-situ identification
of micrometer-sized shock-induced polymorphs in L6 chondrites. Meteoritics
31, 155-156.
M. Chen, T.G. Sharp, A. El Goresy, B. Wopenka, and X.
Xie (1996) The high temperature assemblage majorite-pyrope solid solution
+ magnesiowüstite: A new constraint on the high pressure and temperature
history of shock veins in chondrites. Science 271, 1570-1573.
A. Virag, B. Wopenka, S. Amari, E. Zinner, E. Anders,
and R. Lewis (1992) Isotopic,optical and trace element properties of large
single SiC grains from the Murchison meteorite. Geochimica et Cosmochimica
Acta 56, 1715-1733.
L. J. Allamandola, S.A. Sandford, and B. Wopenka (1987)
Interstellar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and the carbon in interplanetary
dust particles and meteorites. Science 237, 56–59.
T. Bernatowicz, G. Fraundorf, T. Ming, E. Anders, B. Wopenka,
E. Zinner, and P. Fraundorf (1987) Evidence for interstellar SiC in the
Murray carbonaceous meteorite. Nature 330, 728–730.
Kerogens and Graphites:
J. D. Pasteris and B. Wopenka (2004) Necessary, but not
sufficient: Raman identification of disordered carbon as a signature
of ancient life. Astrobiology 3, 727-738.
J. D. Pasteris and B. Wopenka (2002) Images of the Earth's
earliest fossils? Nature 420, 476-477.
F. J. Luque, J. D. Pasteris, B. Wopenka, M. Rodas,
and J. F. Barrenechea (1998) Natural fluid-deposited graphite: Mineralogical
characteristics and mechanisms of formation. American Journal of Science
298, 471- 498.
E. Zinner, S. Amari, B. Wopenka, and R. S. Lewis (1995)
Interstellar graphites in meteorites: Isotopic compositions and structural
properties of single graphite grains from Murchison. Meteoritics,
30, 209-226.
B. Wopenka and J. D. Pasteris (1993) Structural characterization
of kerogens to granulite–facies graphite: Applicability of Raman microprobe
spectroscopy. American Mineralogist 78, 533-557.
J. D. Pasteris and B. Wopenka (1991) Raman spectra of
graphite as indicators of degree of metamorphism. Canadian Mineralogist
29, 1–9
B. Wopenka (1988) Raman Observations on individual interplanetary
dust particles. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 88, 221–231.
B. Wopenka and J. D. Pasteris (1988) "Graphite"
in geological samples: Raman spectroscopic misfits? Microbeam Analysis–1988
(D. E. Newbury, ed.) San Francisco Press, 196–200.
Medical Mineralogy:
J. D. Pasteris, B. Wopenka, and E. Valsami-Jones (2008)
Bone and tooth mineralization: Why apatite? Elements 4, 97-104.
B. A. Uthgenannt, M. H. Kramer, J. A. Hwu, B. Wopenka,
and M.J. Silva (2007) Skeletal self-repair: Stress fracture healing by
rapid formation and maturation of woven bone. Journal of Bone and
Mineral Research 22, 1548-1556.
J.D. Pasteris and B. Wopenka (2003) Necessary, but not
sufficient: Raman identification of disordered carbon as a signature
of ancient life. Astrobiology 3, 727-738.
B. Wopenka, J. Pasteris, K. Rogers (2002) Are the properties
of bioapatite different in bone with different percent mineralization?
Geol. Soc. Amer. Abstracts with Programs 34, 311.
J. J. Freeman, B.Wopenka, M.J. Silva, and J.D. Pasteris
(2001) Raman spectroscopic detection of changes in bioapatite in mouse
femora as a function of age and in-vitro fluoride treatment. Calcified
Tissue International 68,156-162.
J. D. Pasteris, B. Wopenka, J. J. Freeman,V. L. Young,
and H. J. Brandon (1999) Medical mineralogy as a new challenge to the
geologist: Silicates in human mammary tissue? American Mineralogist
84, 997-1008.
J. D. Pasteris, B. Wopenka, J. J. Freeman, V. L. Young,
and H. J. Brandon (1999) Analysis of breast implant capsular tissue for
crystalline silica and other refractile phases. Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery 103, 1273-1276.
Fluid Inclusions:
K. C. Benison, R. H. Goldstein, B. Wopenka, R. Burruss,
and J. D. Pasteris (1998) Extremely acid Permian lakes and groundwaters
in North America. Nature 392, 911-914.
J. D. Pasteris, J. C. Seitz, G. B. Morgan, and B. Wopenka
(1993) CH4-rich inclusions from quartz veins in the Valley-and-Ridge
province and the anthracite fields of the Pennsylvania Appalachians-Discussion.
American Mineralogist 78, 216-219.
Pasteris J. D., Wopenka B., Wang A., and Harris T. N.
(1996) Relative timing of fluid and anhydrite saturation: Another consideration
in the sulfur budget of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption. In Fire and Mud:
Eruptions and Lahars of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines (C.G. Newhall
and R.S. Punongbayan, eds.), pp.875-891, Philippine Institute of Volcanology
and Seismology, Quezon City and University of Washington Press, Seattle,
1126 pp.
B. Wopenka, J. D. Pasteris, and J. J. Freeman (1990) Analysis
of individual fluid inclusions by FTIR and Raman microspectroscopy. Geochimica
et Cosmochimica Acta 54, 519–533.
J. D. Pasteris, B. Wopenka, and J. C. Seitz (1988) Practical
aspects of quantitative laser Raman microprobe spectroscopy for the study
of fluid inclusions. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 52, 979–988.
B. Wopenka and J. D. Pasteris (1987) Raman intensities
and detection limits of geochemically relevant gas mixtures for a laser
Raman microprobe. Analytical Chemistry 59, 2165–2170.
J. C. Seitz, J. D. Pasteris, and B. Wopenka (1987) Characterization
of CO2 – CH4 – H2O fluid inclusions by
microthermometry and laser Raman microprobe spectroscopy: Inferences
for clathrate and fluid equilibria. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
51, 1651–1664.
Others:
A.M Hofmeister, P.A. Giesting, B. Wopenka, G.D. Gwanmesia,
and B. L. Jolliff (2003) Vibrational spectroscopy of pyrope-majorite garnets:
structure and order. American Mineralogist, in review.
P.G. Brewer, J. Pasteris, G. Malby, E. Peltzer, S. White,
J. Freeman, B. Wopenka, M. Brown, and D. Cline (2002) Laser Raman spectroscopy
used to study the ocean at 3600-m depth. EOS-Transactions of the
American Geophysical Union 83, 469-470.
B. Wopenka, R. Popelka, J.D. Pasteris, and S. Rotroff
(2002) Understanding the mineralogical composition of ancient Greek pottery
through Raman microprobe spectroscopy. Applied Spectroscopy 56,
1320-1328.
B. Wopenka, J. J. Freeman, and E. Grew (1999) Raman spectroscopic
identification of B-free and B-rich kornerupine (prismatine). American
Mineralogist 84, 550-554.
B. Wopenka, J. J. Freeman, and T. Nikischer (1998) Raman
spectroscopic identification of fibrous natural zeolites. Applied
Spectroscopy 52, 54-63.
See also Department
Publications
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314-935-4771 
bwopenka@wustl.edu
314-935-7361 
