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Title: Tm{sup 3+}-sensitized up- and down-conversions in nano-structured oxyfluoride glass ceramics

Journal Article · · Materials Research Bulletin
 [1];  [2];  [1];  [1]
  1. State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002 (China)
  2. School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS (United Kingdom)

Graphical abstract: Display Omitted Highlights: ► UC and DC are achieved in a single-ion sensitized phosphor for PV applications. ► The most intense fractions of AM 1.5G spectrum below/above c-Si bandgap are absorbed. ► The converted photons match the optimal spectral response of c-Si. -- Abstract: Tm{sup 3+}-sensitized up-conversion and down-conversion are studied in transparent glass ceramics embedded with β-YF{sub 3} nanocrystals. Upon excitation at 1220 nm, where crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells no longer absorb, the sub-bandgap photons could be converted to the higher-energy ones via up-conversion. In addition, under excitation at 468 nm (a wavelength close to the peak in the air-mass 1.5 global solar spectrum), one blue photon might be split in up to two near-infrared ones via down-conversion. In both cases, the frequency-converted photons match the spectral response of c-Si solar cell well. Hopefully, the investigated luminescent materials may act as the spectral conversion layers to reduce the sub-bandgap transmission and charge carrier thermalization losses of c-Si solar cells, and in turn, enhance the energy efficiency.

OSTI ID:
22215692
Journal Information:
Materials Research Bulletin, Vol. 47, Issue 12; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0025-5408
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English