Broad-Band Excited Quantum Cutting in Eu[sup 2+]–Yb[sup 3+] Co-doped Aluminosilicate Glasses

We report the possibility of broad-band spectral modification based on quantum cutting (QC), which converts one UV or visible photon into two near-IR photons in ion co-doped aluminosilicate glasses. Metal Al powder is added to the host glass composition to reduce to during melting in air. The existence of europium in the divalent state has been confirmed by absorption spectroscopy. Excitation and emission spectra as well as fluorescence decay measurements have been carried out to examine the occurrence of cooperative energy transfer from to ions. The QC process in this glass system enables the silicon-based solar cells to more efficiently utilize the solar energy in the broad wavelength region from 250 to 500 nm, where the silicon-based solar cells show a weak response.