Spectral down-conversion in Sm-doped borate glasses for photovoltaic applications

Borate glasses and borate glass ceramics are good candidates as a matrix material for fluorescent ions like samarium. The chosen network modifier influences the fluorescence efficiency of the incorporated rare earth ion. Sm3+-doped lithium, sodium, barium and lead borate glasses were examined with respect to their fluorescence properties and potential use as a down-converting top layer of a solar cell.