Sm3+-doped alkaline earth borate glasses as UV→visible photon conversion layer for solar cells

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jlumin.2014.11.052
• Publication Date: 2014-12-08T18:03:46Z
• Authors: L.F. Shen; B.J. Chen; E.Y.B. Pun; H. Lin
• Keywords: 01 natural sciences; 7. Clean energy; 0104 chemical sciences

Abstract Intense multi-peak red fluorescence emissions of Sm 3+ are exhibited in alkaline-earth borate (LKZBSB) glasses under UV radiation. The spontaneous emission probabilities A rad corresponding to the 4 G 5/2 → 6 H J ( J =5/2, 7/2, 9/2 and 11/2) transitions are derived to be 24.74, 129.72, 117.03 and 32.23 s −1 , respectively, and the relevant stimulated emission cross-sections σ em are 0.77×10 −22 , 4.46×10 −22 , 5.05×10 −22 and 1.38×10 −22 cm 2 , confirming the effectiveness of red luminescence in Sm 3+ -doped LKZBSB glasses. Quantitative characterization through the evaluation of absolute spectral parameters reveals that the quantum yield of Sm 3+ -doped LKZBSB glasses is as high as 13.29%. Furthermore, with the introduction of Ce 3+ , the effective excitation wavelength range and the emission intensity of Sm 3+ in LKZBSB glasses are remarkably expanded and improved by a maximum sensitization factor of 9.02 in the UVB region. These results demonstrate that the present glass system has promising potential as an efficient UV→visible photon conversion layer for the enhancement of solar cell efficiency, including appealing applications in outer space.