Dr. Takamasa Momose

Biography

Professor Takamasa Momose's group focuses on physics and chemistry of extremely cold molecules, utilizing ultracold molecules to investigate unique reaction dynamics intrinsic to low-temperature molecules. Chemical processes differ dramatically under conditions of low temperatures, where quantum effects—such as tunneling, resonance phenomena, and enhanced wave-like nature of molecules—become prominently evident. In physics, cold molecules are employed to study fundamental symmetry violations in nature. A particular area of interest is parity violation in chiral molecules, which offers insight into the origins of biomolecular homochirality. Producing cold molecules of chemical relevance remains a technical challenge, yet recent advances—including laboratory developments—in cooling and trapping techniques to 1 K make it possible to explore a wide array of phenomena. Currently, Professor Momose’s laboratory operates multiple advanced systems to produce and study cold ultracold molecules at 4 K, including Zeeman Stark decelerators, counter-rotating nozzles, microwave molecular traps, and matrix-isolation systems using parahydrogen and superfluid helium. His research is supported by various initiatives, including the Canada Foundation Innovation and the Canadian Centre Research Ultra-Cold Systems. Professor Momose is actively involved in sub-atomic physics research projects, including the deceleration and trapping of cold free radicals, high-resolution matrix isolation spectroscopy, parity violation in chiral molecules, and more.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards