The metal ion Bi 31 has been shown to be an efficient broadband sensitizer for Yb 31 ion in the Y 2 O 3 host lattice. Upon ultravioletlight excitation in the allowed 1 S 0 -3 P 1 transition of Bi 31 ions, the characteristic near infrared luminescence of Yb 31 ions due to the 2 F 5/2 -2 F 7/2 transition was observed as a result of energy transfer from Bi 31 to Yb 31 ions. It demonstrates that cooperative downconversion can be realized for Bi 31 -Yb 31 coupling. Yb 31 -concentration-dependent quantum efficiency was evaluated and the maximum efficiency reached 173.8%. These phosphors are promising for the enhancement of energy efficiency of crystalline Si solar cells via spectrum shifting. PW1830 (Philips, Almelo, The Netherlands) diffractometer using CoKa (1.78010 Å ) radiation. The photoluminescence (PL) and J. Ballato-contributing editor