Fluorescent dyes interacting with small silver particles; a system extending the spectral range of fluorescent solar concentrators

Abstract Energy transfer between fluorescent dye molecules and small silver particles can improve the fluorescence intensity for the dye, provided that the silver particles are of a suitable size and form to amplify the total absorption and fluorescence. This mechanism provides a possibility for extending the range of dyes which could be used in fluorescent collectors to longer wavelengths, by increasing the quantum yield and long-term stability of dyes absorbing in the NIR. Composite material models of the optical characteristics and measurements of the absorption, fluorescence and fluorescence lifetime are used to investigate this effect.