Down-conversion near infrared emission in Pr~3, Yb~3 co-doped Y_2O_3 transparent ceramics

摘要

Pr~3, Yb~3 co-doped Y_2O_3 transparent ceramics have been prepared by the solid state reaction and vacuum sintering. Down-conversion near infrared emission has been demonstrated upon a 482 nm excitation. The energy of the 482 nm blue photon was first absorbed by Pr~3 and then delivered to Yb~3. Possible energy transfer mechanisms from Pr~3 to Yb~3 have been discussed. Under the 482 nm excitation, the Pr~4Yb~2 charge transfer state would not seriously influence the energy transfer process. The dominant one should be either the cooperative down-conversion or the two-step photon emission. The efficient down-conversion near infrared emission has potential application in enhancing the conversion efficiency of crystalline silicon solar cells.