Quantum cutting and near-infrared emissions in Ho3+/Yb3+ codoped transparent glass-ceramics

Abstract Visible to near-infrared quantum cutting and 2.0 μm near-infrared emissions have been obtained in Ho3+/Yb3+ co-doped oxyfluoride transparent glass-ceramic, containing cubic CaF2 nanocrystals, under 473 nm excitation. The formation of CaF2 nanocrystals and the incorporation of Ho3+/Yb3+ ions into these nanocrystals have been confirmed from x-ray diffraction and photoluminescence studies, respectively. Lifetime of 1.2 μm emission has been enhanced by three orders of magnitude in the glass-ceramic compared to that of the precursor glass. Time-resolved near-infrared quantum cutting emission of Yb3+ ions at different delay times under 532 nm laser excitation has also been obtained. Studies reveal that the infrared quantum cutting emission of Yb3+ and Ho3+ ions in the CaF2 nanocrystalline glass-ceramic could improve the efficiency of crystalline-Si solar cells, and that the 1.2 μm emission could be useful for further enhancing transmission windows using optical amplifiers.