Modeling of downconverter based on Pr3+-Yb3+ codoped fluoride glasses to improve sc-Si solar cells efficiency

Abstract

Quantum cutting via a two-step resonant energy transfer in a spectral downconverter of Pr3+-Yb3+ codoped fluoride glass is investigated numerically by proposing up and solving the theoretical model of rate equations and power propagation equations. Based on the optimal Pr3+-Yb3+ concentration and the thickness of the spectral downconverter, the total power conversion efficiency of 175% and total quantum conversion efficiency of 186% are obtained. The performance of a sc-Si solar cell covered with a spectral downconverter is evaluated with the photovoltaic simulation programme PC1D. For sc-Si solar cells, the energy conversion efficiency of 14.90% for the modified AM1.5G compared to a 12.25% energy conversion efficiency for the standard AM1.5G has been obtained, and the simulated relative energy conversion efficiency for the sc-Si solar cell approaches up to 1.21. Our results show that the use of a spectral downconverter yields better sc-Si solar cell performance compared to the standard AM1.5G irradiation. The paper also provides a framework for investigating and optimizing the rare-earth doped spectral downconverter, potentially enabling a sc-Si solar cell with an efficiency improvement

Enhanced Emission of Tellurite Glass Doped with Pr3+/Ho3+ and Their Applications

“…Using the value τ Pr = 3.92 µs, corresponding to N Pr =3.16×10 20 cm −3 , we have obtained the ET efficiency η = 29% that can be compared with the values 19 and 32.3% found for tellurite glasses doped with 1 mol% of Pr 3+ ions, and codoped with 0.5 and 1 mol% of Ho 3+ ions, respectively [28]. The observed increase of ET efficiency with the increasing N Ho /N Pr ratio is in accordance with the theoretical modeling of quantum cutting via a two-step ET [39].…”

“…As shown in Figure 8, there is a relatively small shift (107 cm −1 ) between the peak value of ACS at 1167 nm (10,246 cm −1 ) and that of ECS at 1181 nm (10,163 cm −1 ). The McCumber and Füchtbauer-Ladenburg (F-L) curves are quite similar in shape but very different in magnitude; the peak value of 𝜎 (4.63×10 −21 cm 2 ) is about two times greater than that of 𝜎 (2.18 × 10 −21 cm 2 ), suggesting effective ET from Pr 3+ to Ho 3+ ions, since the MC curve reflects emission of Ho 3+ ions in the absence of Pr 3+ ions, while the F-L curve represents the emission enhanced by codoping with the latter ions [39,40].…”

Luminescent solar concentrators: challenges for lanthanide-based organic–inorganic hybrid materials

“…153 Numerical modelling of a c-Si cell and a DC glass layer doped with Pr 3+ and Yb 3+ led to a DC quantum yield of 186%. 154 All the examples mentioned above involve inorganic hosts. Organic hosts, with relatively high energy vibrational modes, are almost useless.…”

Ultrahigh Quantum Efficiencies from Photon Multiple-Fission in Yb3+ Clusters

“…The NIR emission came from the 2 F 5/2 → 2 F 7/2 transition of single Yb 3+ ions. Such a NIR uorescent material with high QE has greatly risen researchers' interest, 6,7,12,13,8,14 because converting from a visible photon or a UV photon to two ~ 1000 nm photons with minimal loss of energy is important in improving overall conversion e ciencies of silicon solar cells. However, it is worth noting that all the high QEs in reports mentioned above were estimated from decay curves.…”