Effcient Near-Infrared Quantum Cutting in Tm³⁺/Yb³ Codoped LiYF₄ Single Crystals for Solar Photovoltaic

Downconversion (DC) with emission of two near-infrared photons about 1000 nm for each blue photon absorbed was obtained in thulium (Tm³⁺) and ytterbium (Yb³ ) codoped yt-trium lithium fluoride (LiYF₄) single crystals grown by an improved Bridgman method. The luminescent properties of the crystals were measured through photoluminescence excitation, emission spectra and decay curves. Luminescence between 960 and 1050 nm from Yb³ : ²F_5/2→²F_7/2 transition, which was originated from the DC from Tm³ ions to Yb³ ions, was observed under the excitation of blue photon at 465 nm. Moreover, the energy transfer processes were studied based on the Inokuti-Hirayama model, and the results indicated that the energy transfer from Tm³ to Yb³ was an electric dipole-dipole interaction. The max-imum quantum cutting effciency approached up to 167.5% in LiYF₄ single crystal codoped with 0.49mol% Tm³ and 5.99mol% Yb³ . Application of this crystal has prospects for increasing the energy e ciency of crystalline Si solar cells by photon doubling of the high energy part of the solar spectrum