Photon upconversion based on sensitized triplet-triplet annihilation

Photon upconversion, the process wherein light of long wavelength is frequency converted to photons of higher energy, is readily achieved at low incident power through sensitized triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) in various chromophore combinations spanning the UV to the near-IR. This emerging wavelength-shifting technology truly represents a viable route towards converting low energy terrestrial solar photons into light adequate to drive electron transfer in operational photovoltaics. Generalized molecular design constraints, all operational examples reported to date, and measurement techniques applied to these low power nonlinear processes are reviewed in this contribution. In many instances, direct visualization of this phenomenon is presented in solution and within various polymeric host materials. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.