Ultraviolet--Visible--Near-Infrared Luminescence Properties and Energy Transfer Mechanism of a Novel 5d Broadband Sensitized Sr3SiO5:Ce3+,Yb3+ Suitable for Solar Spectral Converter

A near-infrared phosphor, Sr 3 SiO 5 :Ce 3+ ,Yb 3+ , is developed as a potential solar spectral converter for Si solar cells. The diffuse reflection, photoluminescence excitation, and emission spectra at room temperature and at 3 K were investigated. These results show that the Sr 3 SiO 5 :Ce 3+ ,Yb 3+ phosphor has broadband absorptions peaking at 415 nm which can efficiently facilitate the UV--blue part of the solar spectrum when compared with Sr 3 SiO 5 :Yb 3+ . Furthermore, it can give an intense emission around 1000 nm via an energy transfer process from Ce 3+ to Yb 3+ , matching well with the optimal spectral response of Si solar cells. The cooperative quantum cutting mechanism is also proposed.