Kotska Wallace
Papers
2
Total Citations
24
H-Index
2
About
Dr. Kotska Wallace is a leading figure in the development of advanced X-ray optics for space-based observatories. Her research centers on the design, assembly, and mass production of Silicon Pore Optics (SPO), a revolutionary technology that achieves high angular resolution with remarkably low area density. Wallace’s major contributions lie in transforming SPO from a promising concept into a viable, modular structure for flagship missions. Her seminal 2011 paper on mass-producing SPO for the International X-ray Observatory (IXO) and the Advanced Telescope for High Energy Astrophysics (ATHENA) has garnered 13 citations, establishing the baseline for populating mirror assemblies with hundreds of these units. Earlier, her 2006 work on assembling SPO into modular “petals” (11 citations) addressed critical design drivers and mechanical trade-offs, enabling the creation of lightweight, high-performance X-ray Optical Units (XOUs). Through this pioneering engineering, Wallace has directly enabled the next generation of X-ray telescopes, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in high-energy astrophysics.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Mass production of silicon pore optics for IXO and ATHENA13 citations · 2011
- 2Assembling silicon pore optics into a modular structure11 citations · 2006