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Takahashi Lab
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The lab observes the shapes of molecular orbitals and chemical reactions through electron scattering.
AboutAbout the lab
Seeing the shapes of molecular orbitals through electron scattering
The Takahashi Lab (Quantum Electron Science research field) conducts research that experimentally observes the wave functions of isolated molecules in the gas phase.
Using electron momentum spectroscopy, which uses the scattering of high-speed electrons, the lab observes in momentum space the shapes of molecular orbitals, which determine the reactivity and functions of molecules.
The lab also studies molecules in the middle of chemical reactions and the three-dimensional behavior of electrons when they collide with molecules.
Its goals are original research in molecular science and the training of students and young researchers who will lead the next generation.
Key terms
- Wave function
- In quantum mechanics, a function that completely describes the state of a system. If it is known correctly, physical quantities can be predicted
- Molecular orbital
- The wave function of each electron bound within a molecule. Its shape determines the reactivity and functions of the molecule
- Electron momentum spectroscopy
- A method in which high-speed electrons are scattered off a molecule to observe the shapes of molecular orbitals in momentum space
- Momentum space
- A way of viewing a wave function with momentum, rather than position, as the axis. Differences in regions far from the nucleus are easier to see
NewsLab news
A doctoral student received the FY2026 Multi-element Materials Science Encouragement Award from the Scientific Measurement Promotion Fund
A doctoral student received the Poster Prize at the 21st QSAR Workshop
A doctoral student received the Applied Physics Research Encouragement Award
A doctoral student received the Director's Award at the research presentation meeting of the Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University
ResearchResearch themes
The Takahashi Lab centers its research on experimentally observing the wave functions of isolated molecules in the gas phase. Based on electron momentum spectroscopy, which uses the scattering of high-speed electrons, the lab studies the shapes of molecular orbitals, the course of chemical reactions, and collisions between electrons and molecules.
*Illustrative imageVisualizing the driving principles of chemical reactions
Using a time-resolved spectroscopic method based on the scattering of high-speed electrons, the lab studies light-induced gas-phase unimolecular reactions. It aims to visualize in momentum space how the shapes of molecular orbitals change as a reaction proceeds.
*Illustrative imageSeeing the shapes of molecular orbitals in momentum space
Electron momentum spectroscopy can observe the shape of each individual molecular orbital. In addition to gas-phase molecules at room temperature, the lab is working to extend its targets to hot molecules and molecules generated by electric discharge. It is also attempting to pioneer a method for observing electronic structure under intense laser light.
*Illustrative imageStereodynamics of electron-molecule collisions
The lab studies how the nature of a collision changes depending on the orientation of the molecule and the closeness of the collision when an electron collides with a molecule. By measuring multiple charged particles simultaneously, it aims to establish this research field.
*Illustrative imageSwitching the destination of chemical reactions
A phenomenon in which the reaction pathway switches as energy is increased was found in joint theoretical research with researchers at Hokkaido University and others. In collaboration with the joint research team, the lab is attempting to prove this switch experimentally and to search for it.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Takahashi Lab consist of faculty, administrative assistants, and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorMasahiko Takahashi
- Associate ProfessorNoboru Watanabe
- Assistant ProfessorShinichiro Minemoto
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “FZU MBE Veeco PJachimova 24” Akademie věd České republiky / Czech Academy of Sciences (Pavlína Jáchimová) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Visualizing the driving principles of chemical reactions: “ThermiteReaction” User:Nikthestunned (Wikipedia) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Seeing the shapes of molecular orbitals in momentum space: “Molecular Orbitals for Water” ChiralJon / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Stereodynamics of electron-molecule collisions: “Particle detector in revision” LSDSL / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Switching the destination of chemical reactions: “Sample holder in ultrahigh vacuum chamber for angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy” Ponor / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Yamamoto Lab): “Beamline-self-portrait” Warrenmck / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Physical Properties and Functional Design Lab): “Athena supercomputer cluster” NASA / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Electromagnetic Wave Engineering [Chen-Konno-Sato] Lab): “XEMU Antenna Testing in JSC's Anechoic Chamber (jsc2021e022488)” NASA Johnson Space Center / Norah Moran / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Solid-State Electronics Lab): “Wafer - 2” Windell Oskay / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
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