Red and near infrared down-conversion in Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped YF₃ performed by quantum cutting

摘要

Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped YF₃ powder is prepared by combining a nitrate decomposition method with a NH₄HF₂ fluorization process, from which efficient energy transfer induced down-conversion is achieved. An absorbed 365 nm near ultraviolet photon is split into two photons of 650 nm red and 1000 nm near infrared radiations, both falling in the responding region of Si-based solar cells. The quantum cutting mechanism has been proposed and discussed and the energy transfer efficiency for the quantum cutting is evaluated by developing an emission intensity ratio contrast method. The investigation might offer a new possible approach to achieve Si-based solar cells of high efficiency by down-converting the near ultraviolet part of the solar spectrum.