Visible photon multiplication in Ce~(3+)–Tb~(3+) doped borate glasses for enhanced solar cells

摘要

Visible photon multiplication is exposed in the Ce~(3+)–Tb~(3+) doped alkaline-earth borate (LKZBSB) glass system. Efficient green and blue fluorescences originate from Tb~(3+) and Ce~(3+) emitting centres, respectively. Evaluation of absolute spectral parameters reveals that the quantum yield of Tb~(3+) single doped LKZBSB glasses is ~8% under UVA radiation. Furthermore, with the introduction of Ce~(3+) into the Tb~(3+) doping system, the effective excitation wavelength range and the emission intensity of Tb~(3+) in LKZBSB glasses are remarkably expanded and improved by a maximum sensitization factor of ~52 in the UVB spectral region. These results demonstrate that the Ce~(3+)–Tb~(3+) doped LKZBSB glass system has promising potential as an efficient UV → Visible radiation conversion layer for the enhancement of solar cell efficiency, including cells employed in outer space.