Quantum-Cutting Ytterbium-Doped CsPb(Cl1–xBrx)3 Perovskite Thin Films with Photoluminescence Quantum Yields over 190%

A two-step solution-deposition method for preparing ytterbium-doped (Yb3+) CsPb(Cl1–xBrx)3 perovskite thin films is described. Yb3+-doped CsPb(Cl1–xBrx)3 films are made that exhibit intense near-infrared photoluminescence with extremely high quantum yields reaching over 190%, stemming from efficient quantum cutting that generates two emitted near-infrared photons for each absorbed visible photon. The near-infrared Yb3+ f–f photoluminescence is largely independent of the anion content (x) in CsPb(Cl1–xBrx)3 films with energy gaps above the quantum-cutting threshold of twice the Yb3+ f–f transition energy, but it decreases abruptly when the perovskite energy gap becomes too small to generate two Yb3+ excitations. Excitation power dependence measurements show facile saturation of the Yb3+ luminescence intensity, identifying a major challenge for future solar applications of these materials.