Light propagation in phosphor-filled matrices for photovoltaic PL down-shifting

Solodovnyk A, Lipovsek B, Forberich K, Stern E, Batentschuk M, Topic M, Brabec C (2014)

Publication Language: English

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Conference contribution, Conference Contribution

Publication year: 2014

Publisher: SPIE

Book Volume: 9205

Article Number: 92050D

Event location: San Diego US

ISBN: 9781628412321

DOI: 10.1117/12.2061054

Abstract

Efficient transparent light converters have received lately a growing interest from optical device industries (LEDs, PV, etc.). While organic luminescent dyes were tested in PV light-converting application, such restrictions as small Stokes shifts, short lifetimes, and relatively high costs must yet be overcome. Alternatively, use of phosphors in transparent matrix materials would mean a major breakthrough for this technology, as phosphors exhibit long-term stability and are widely available. For the fabrication of phosphor-filled layers tailored specifically for the desired application, it is of great importance to gain deep understanding of light propagation through the layers, including the detailed optical interplay between the phosphor particles and the matrix material. Our measurements show that absorption and luminescent behavior of the phosphors and especially the scattering of light by the phosphor particles play an important role. In this contribution we have investigated refractive index difference between transparent binder and phosphors. Commercially available highly luminescent UV and near-UV absorbing μm-sized powder is chosen for the fabrication of phosphor-filled layers with varied refractive index of transparent polymer matrix, and well-defined particle size distributions. Solution-processed thick layers on glass substrates are optically analyzed and compared with simulation results acquired from CROWM, a combined wave optics/ray optics home-built software. The results demonstrate the inter-dependence of the layer parameters, prove the importance of careful optimization steps required for fabrication of efficient light converting layers, and, thus, show a path into the future of this promising approach.

Authors with CRIS profile

Karen Forberich Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Miroslaw Batentschuk Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET) Christoph Brabec Institute Materials for Electronics and Energy Technology (i-MEET)

Involved external institutions

Bayerisches Zentrum für Angewandte Energieforschung e.V. (ZAE Bayern) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Solodovnyk, A., Lipovsek, B., Forberich, K., Stern, E., Batentschuk, M., Topic, M., & Brabec, C. (2014). Light propagation in phosphor-filled matrices for photovoltaic PL down-shifting. In Proceedings of the Reflection, Scattering, and Diffraction from Surfaces IV. San Diego, US: SPIE.

MLA:

Solodovnyk, Anastasiia, et al. "Light propagation in phosphor-filled matrices for photovoltaic PL down-shifting." Proceedings of the Reflection, Scattering, and Diffraction from Surfaces IV, San Diego SPIE, 2014.

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