Spectral investigations of Sm3+/Yb3+: TeO2Â + ZnOÂ + Nb2O5Â +TiO2 glasses for the conversion of Si -based solar cell applications

Sm3+ singly and Sm3+/Yb3+ co-doped tellurite glasses have been prepared by melt quenching technique. The prepared glasses are characterized through optical absorption, excitation, fluorescence and decay rate measurements. Judd-Ofelt theory has been employed to find the radiative properties and also stimulated emission cross-sections by using Futchbauer-Ladenbergh formula. The energy transfer mechanism from Sm3+ to Yb3+ ion has been analyzed. The theoretical energy transfer efficiency and quantum efficiency values were calculated from the decay curves of the Sm3+/Yb3+ co-doped tellurite glasses. The results indicate that the prepared glasses can be used as visible to near-infrared converting material to improve the conversion efficiency of silicon solar cells.