Experimental enhancement of the photocurrent in a solar cell using upconversion process in fluoroindate glasses exciting at 1480 nm

• Published in: Solar energy materials and solar cells 2013-09, Vol.116, p.171-175
• Main Authors: HERNIÁNDEZ-RODRÍGUEZ, M. A, IMANIEH, M. H, MARTÍN, L. L, MARTÍN, I. R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bands; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Excitation; Glass; Natural energy; Photocurrent; Photoelectric conversion; Photoelectric effect; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaic conversion; Solar cells; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar energy; Upconversion
• ISSN: 0927-0248; 1879-3398
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2013.04.023

In this work, the generation of photocurrent in a commercial solar cell has been achieved under excitation at 1480 nm in fluoroindate glass samples codoped with Yb super(3+) and Er super(3+) ions. These samples were placed over a solar cell and under excitation at 1.48 mu m, upconversion emissions coming from the Yb super(3+) and Er super(3+) ions were obtained. In the upconversion emission spectra, several emission bands at 545 nm, 660 nm and 975 nm have been detected for all the analyzed samples (doped with different Yb super(3+) and Er super(3+) concentrations). The dependence of the external quantum efficiency to produce photocurrent with the Er super(3+) and Yb super(3+) concentration and with the pump power excitation at 1480 nm has been analyzed. As conclusion, the maximum generation of photocurrent was obtained with the highest and lowest concentrations of Er super(3+) and Yb super(3+), respectively.