Abstract

Quantum cutting downconversion involving the emission of two near-infrared photons for each blue photon absorbed is realized in transparent glass ceramics with embedded ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{3+}∕{\mathrm{Yb}}^{3+}$: $\beta \text{-}\mathrm{Y}{\mathrm{F}}_3$ nanocrystals. On excitation of ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{3+}$ ions with a visible photon at $482\mathrm{nm}$, ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{3+}$ ions emit two near-infrared photons at $976\mathrm{nm}$ through an efficient cooperative energy transfer from ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{3+}$ to ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{3+}$, with optimal quantum efficiency close to 200%. The development of the near-infrared quantum cutting transparent glass ceramic could open a route to enhance the energy efficiency of the silicon solar cell by converting one blue solar photon to two near-infrared ones.

© 2008 Optical Society of America

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