publications

2026

1. NIMA

   Design of high-strength, radiopure copper–chromium alloys for rare-event searches assisted by computational thermodynamics

   Dimitra Spathara

   Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A, 2026

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   Direct Dark Matter detection and studies on the nature of neutrinos demand detector systems with extremely low background levels, including from radioactivity. Additive-free, electroformed copper, in addition to a set of advantages, exhibits exceptional radiopurity, making it the material of choice for mechanical and structural components for rare-event searches experiments. To satisfy the increasing demand for materials with superior mechanical strength, the development of copper–chromium alloys is pursued. Early investigations explored the synthesis of these alloys by electrodeposition and thermal processing. A materials-design approach is proposed to optimize the fabrication and thermal processing stages of manufacturing. It is assisted by materials modeling tools based on the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of alloy compositions, which enables faster development of novel materials by predicting properties and materials performance. This approach is demonstrated by comparing simulations with previously reported experimental investigations and proposing improved thermal processing.

2025

1. PRD

   Ionization yield in a methane-filled spherical proportional counter

   MM Arora, L Balogh, C Beaufort, and 8 more authors

   Physical Review D, Apr 2025

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2. PhysRevLett

   Search for Light Dark Matter with NEWS-G at the Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane Using a Methane Target

   MM Arora, L Balogh, C Beaufort, and 8 more authors

   Physical Review Letters, May 2025

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2024

1. NextEnergy

   Accurate voltage prediction for lithium and sodium-ion full-cell development

   Yongxiu Chen, Yazid Lakhdar, Lin Chen, and 6 more authors

   Next Energy, Oct 2024

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2021

1. JAlloysCompd

   Thermodynamic study of single crystal, Ni-based superalloys in the γ+γ′ two-phase region using Knudsen Effusion Mass Spectrometry, DSC and SEM

   Dimitra Spathara, Dmitry Sergeev, Dietmar Kobertz, and 3 more authors

   Journal of alloys and Compounds, Jul 2021

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2019

1. Thesis

   Study on the surface modifications of single crystal Ni-based superalloys during industrial processing at high temperatures

   Dimitra Spathara

   University of Birmingham, Jul 2019

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2018

1. MetallMaterTransA

   Study into the role of nickel vapor on surface modification of a third-generation single-crystal superalloy

   Dimitra Spathara, Duncan Putman, and Nils Warnken

   Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, Jun 2018

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   A third-generation single-crystal (SX) superalloy was heat treated at 1350 °C for 24 hours while being exposed to nickel vapor. It is observed that a layer of 60-µm thickness deposited onto the alloy. This prevented the formation of TCP phases and the occurrence of melting, which were reported in previous studies. The interdiffusion between the alloy and deposited layer shows strong indications of cross-diffusion effects, as shown from the composition profile measurements and simulations.

2013

1. AIPConfProc

   Depletion of parallel conducting layers in high mobility In0.53Ga0.47As / In0.52Al0.48 As modulation doped field effect transistors

   E Skuras, A Gavalas, D Spathara, and 4 more authors

   In AIP Conference Proceedings, Dec 2013

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