The Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (FTUI), held a public lecture titled “From Superconductors to Semiconductors: Discover the Power of Muon Spin Rotation” featuring Prof. Alan Drew (FRSA) from Queen Mary University of London. This event is part of FTUI’s ongoing effort to expand international academic collaboration and introduce the latest research in advanced materials and superconductivity.
In the lecture, Prof. Drew discussed how Muon Spin Rotation (μSR) technology plays a crucial role in uncovering hidden spin dynamics in matter—from magnetic ordering to quantum superconductivity phenomena. The lecture series was held on October 30–31, 2025, at DTMM Room KMT 3.1, and continued on November 3, 2025, at the IDE Building Auditorium, FTUI.
Prof. Drew explained the use of Muon Spin Spectroscopy (μSR) as a cutting-edge method to understand spin dynamics, magnetism, and superconductivity in organic materials and molecular semiconductors. The technique utilizes muons—positively charged particles that behave like lightweight electrons—to probe spin interactions and magnetic structures with atomic-level spatial resolution.
Through a series of studies conducted at international facilities such as ISIS, J-PARC, PSI, and TRIUMF, Prof. Drew demonstrated how μSR can be used to observe electron spin relaxation, detect exciton states, and measure transitions between hyperfine interaction (HFI) and spin-orbit interaction (SOI). In his experiments, materials such as TIPS-Pentacene were used to illustrate the singlet fission mechanism, a key process for improving the efficiency of organic solar cells.
In addition, Prof. Drew highlighted the challenges in modeling quantum and thermal effects using Density Functional Theory (DFT) approaches and introduced the PhotoμSR application, which enables the observation of excited states in materials within time ranges from nanoseconds to milliseconds. According to him, μSR serves as a vital bridge between fundamental research and technological applications, including in the development of superconductors, organic semiconductors, and biomimetic systems.
Dean of FTUI, Prof. Kemas Ridwan Kurniawan, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., expressed his appreciation for the event.
“Academic collaborations like this enrich research perspectives and strengthen FTUI’s position within the global scientific community. Through direct dialogue with international experts, FTUI students gain first-hand insights into the latest developments in materials research at the global level. This activity aligns with FTUI’s commitment to fostering international collaboration and driving innovation in materials engineering,” said Prof. Kemas.
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Public Communication Office
Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia
