title: Investigation of energy transfer mechanisms between Bi(2+) and Tm(3+) by time-resolved spectrum.
abstract: Here, we report for the first time the optical properties of Bi(2+) and Tm(3+) co-doped germanate glasses and elucidate the potential of this material as substrates to improve the performance of CdTe solar cell. A strong emission peak at 800nm is observed under the excitation of 450-700nm in this material. The energy transfer processes from the transitions of Bi(2+) [(2)P3/2(1)→(2)P1/2]: Tm(3+) [(3)H6→(3)H4] are investigated by time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy. A cover glass exhibiting an ultra-broadband response spectrum covering the entire solar visible wavelength region is suggested to enhance the conversion efficiency of CdTe solar cells significantly.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Optical Communication Materials and State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Kaniyarakkal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sharafudeen
authors.forename: Guoping
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Zhijun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Jianrong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Qiu
mesh_terms: D001729:Bismuth / Q000737:chemistry*; D004735:Energy Transfer; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013816:Thermodynamics; D013932:Thulium / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D013932:Thulium; D001729:Bismuth
keywords: Bi(2+); CdTe solar cell; Energy transfer; Luminescence down-shifting; Time-resolved