Broadband near-infrared quantum cutting by Ce-Yb codoped YAG transparent glass ceramics for silicon solar cells.

Ce-Yb co-doped transparent glass ceramics containing YAG nanocrystals were prepared by a conventional melt-quenching method. Broadband near infrared quantum cutting was achieved in the glass ceramics and proved to be a cooperative down-conversion process. Under 460 nm excitation, F to 5d electronic transitions occurred in Ce and transferred their energy to two neighboring Yb. The dependence of the luminescence spectra and decay curves on Yb concentration was investigated to understand the energy transfer mechanism. The energy transfer efficiency and the down-conversion quantum efficiency were estimated to be as high as 77.8% and 177.8%, respectively. This work will open a new route towards increased efficiency in silicon solar cells.