Eu³⁺ doped silica film as luminescent down-shifting layer for crystalline Si solar cells

Eu³⁺ doped silica films have been prepared by solgel method and employed as luminescent down-shifting layer on the front side of a crystalline Si solar cell to improve their conversion efficiency. Measurements under standard test conditions (AM1.5, 100 mW/cm²) show the conversion efficiency of Si solar cell with silica film containing Eu³⁺ is improved 9.5% maximally as compared to the Si solar cell with pure silica film. However, high Eu³⁺ concentration is not encouraged because concentration quenching effect will decrease the efficiency of the solar cell.