Near-infrared quantum cutting of Dy3+, Ho3+–Yb3+ and Er3+–Yb3+-doped Ca10K(PO4)7 phosphors

Abstract

Dy 3+, Ho 3+– Yb 3+ and Er 3+– Yb 3+-doped Ca 10 K ( PO 4)7 phosphors were prepared by solid-state reaction method, and their luminescence properties of near-infrared (NIR) quantum cutting (QC) were investigated for the first time. The Rietveld refinement performed for the X-ray diffractometer (XRD) data indicates the obtained samples are single-phase. From the excitation spectra, it can be seen that the energy transfers from Ho 3+ to Yb 3+, and from Er 3+ to Yb 3+ occur. The Dy 3+, Ho 3+– Yb 3+ and Er 3+– Yb 3+ co-doped Ca 10 K ( PO 4)7 samples all exhibit NIR emission peaks in the QC processes, and their spectral characteristics are agreement with the corresponding NIR QC mechanisms. The NIR QC properties of the as-prepared samples indicate the potential applications in modifying the solar spectrum to enhance the efficiency of silicon solar cells.