Near-infrared quantum cutting of Dy³⁺, Ho³⁺–Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺–Yb³⁺-doped Ca₁₀K(PO₄)₇ phosphors

Dy ³⁺, Ho ³⁺– Yb ³⁺ and Er ³⁺– Yb ³⁺-doped Ca ₁₀ K ( PO ₄)₇ phosphors were prepared by solid-state reaction method, and their luminescence properties of near-infrared (NIR) quantum cutting (QC) were investigated for the first time. The Rietveld refinement performed for the X-ray diffractometer (XRD) data indicates the obtained samples are single-phase. From the excitation spectra, it can be seen that the energy transfers from Ho ³⁺ to Yb ³⁺, and from Er ³⁺ to Yb ³⁺ occur. The Dy ³⁺, Ho ³⁺– Yb ³⁺ and Er ³⁺– Yb ³⁺ co-doped Ca ₁₀ K ( PO ₄)₇ samples all exhibit NIR emission peaks in the QC processes, and their spectral characteristics are agreement with the corresponding NIR QC mechanisms. The NIR QC properties of the as-prepared samples indicate the potential applications in modifying the solar spectrum to enhance the efficiency of silicon solar cells.