Near-infrared quantum cutting is a promising approach to enhance the efficiency of silicon solar cells. There are many different kinds of rare earth elements, and each of them has abundant energy levels. Researchers prepare luminescent materials doped with rare earth elements, measure the absorption spectra, excitation spectra and emission spectra of the materials. According to these data, the quantum efficiency of luminescent materials was calculated. The Tb3 +-Yb3 + ion pair drawed people’s attention. Upon excitation of Tb3 + ion with a ultraviolet-visible photon, Yb3 + ion can emit two near-infrared photons around 1000 nm through cooperative energy transfer from Tb3 + ion to Yb3 + ion. The near-infrared photons can be absorbed by silicon solar cells. The quantum efficiency varies from concentration of Tb3 + /Yb3 + ions as well as the matrix of material.