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Single-particle spectroscopy
Dark-field scattering and photoluminescence measurements reveal particle-to-particle optical behavior that ensemble measurements can average out.
NANOPHOTONICS · SINGLE-PARTICLE OPTICS
Seeing light–matter interactions, one particle at a time.
We combine single-particle spectroscopy, optical modeling, nanofabrication and self-assembly to understand and control nanoscale optical responses.
Macau University of Science and Technology
OUR FOCUS
From spectra to physical mechanisms.
Our work connects optical measurements with electromagnetic models and nanoscale structure. The goal is not only to reproduce spectra, but to identify the modes, interactions and material factors that shape them.
RESEARCH
Three connected directions
We study nanoscale optical response from measurement, mechanism and structure.
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Plasmonics & nanophotonics
We examine how composition, geometry, environment and coupling reshape resonances, near fields, scattering and light emission.
03
Nanofabrication & self-assembly
Controlled nanoscale structure provides a route to tune optical interactions and build reproducible model systems for spectroscopy.
HOW WE WORK
Measure · Model · Build
01
Measure
Acquire single-particle optical spectra and microscopy data.
02
Model
Use electromagnetic simulations and modal analysis to identify the physical origin of spectral features.
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Build
Control material, geometry and assembly to test optical mechanisms and tune response.
PEOPLE
Yi-Yu Cai
Assistant Professor · Department of Materials Science and Engineering · Faculty of Innovation Engineering
Ph.D. in Chemistry, Rice University (2019). Postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pennsylvania (2019–2023). Since 2024, Dr. Cai has been at Macau University of Science and Technology.
Official profile ↗SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Recent & representative work
Electromagnetic vs Chemical Interfacial Interactions at the Single-Molecule-Confined Sub-nanometer Molecule–Metal Gap: A Solution-Phase Chiroptical Study. Nano Letters 26, 5784–5791.
Charge transfer at the plasmon-molecule interfaces controls the collective chiroptical responses. Nature Communications 16, 11702.
Shape effects on the 2D self-assembly of lithographically fabricated nanoparticles. Nanoscale 17, 23387.
Open- and Close-Packed Oligomers via Template-Directed Assembly of Shape-Engineered, Lithographically-Fabricated Nanoparticles. Advanced Materials 35, 2301323.
Single-Particle Insights into Plasmonic Hot Carrier Separation Augmenting Photoelectrochemical Ethanol Oxidation with Photocatalytically Synthesized Pd–Au Bimetallic Nanorods. ACS Nano 16, 12377.
Light emission from plasmonic nanostructures. Journal of Chemical Physics 155, 060901.
Single-Particle Emission Spectroscopy Resolves d-Hole Relaxation in Copper Nanocubes. ACS Energy Letters 4, 2458–2465.
Photoluminescence of Gold Nanorods: Purcell Effect Enhanced Emission from Hot Carriers. ACS Nano 12, 976–985.
VISUAL CONTEXT
Research & campus
Openly licensed reference imagery used for the website layout.
FUNDING & SUPPORT
Research support
CONTACT
Research conversations start here.
For research opportunities and collaboration, please contact:
yycai@must.edu.moDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering · Faculty of Innovation Engineering · Macau University of Science and Technology