Enhancement of Tb–Yb quantum cutting emission by inverse opal photonic crystals

• Yb3+, Tb3+ co-doped YPO4 inverse opal photonic crystal was prepared.
• Quantum cutting emission of Tb3+, Yb3+ was investigated in photonic crystals.
• Tb3+-Yb3+ quantum cutting quantum efficiency could be enhanced by inhibited of the Tb3+ spontaneous emission.

Yb3+, Tb3+ co-doped YPO4 inverse opal photonic crystal was prepared directly by sol–gel technique in combination with self-assembly method. With the influence of the photonic band gap, quantum cutting emission of Tb3+, Yb3+ was investigated in photonic crystals by photoluminescence and fluorescence lifetime. The result clearly shows that, when the spontaneous emission of donor Tb3+ is inhibited by photonic band gap, Tb3+-Yb3+ quantum cutting quantum efficiency from Tb3+ to Yb3+ could be enhanced from 131.2% to 140.5%. The mechanisms for the influence of the photonic band gap on quantum cutting process of Tb3+ and Yb3+ are discussed. We believe that the present work will be valuable for the foundational study of quantum cutting energy transfer process and application of quantum cutting optical devices in spectral modification materials for silicon solar cells.