phonon

American  

[foh-non] / ˈfoʊ nɒn /

noun

Physics.

1. a quantum of sound or vibratory elastic energy, being the analogue of a photon of electromagnetic energy.

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phonon British  

/ ˈfəʊnɒn /

noun

1. physics a quantum of vibrational energy in the acoustic vibrations of a crystal lattice

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phonon Scientific  

/ fō′nŏn′ /

1. The quantum of acoustic or vibrational energy. Phonons, like all quanta in quantum mechanics, have wavelike and particlelike properties. Phonons propagate through the vibrating material at the speed of sound in that material. Phonons are especially useful in mathematical models for calculating thermal and vibrational properties of solids.

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Etymology

Origin of phonon

First recorded in 1930–35; phon- + -on ¹

Example Sentences

Scientists at the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology have now developed a new type of squeezed phonon laser that can precisely control these vibrations at the nanoscale.

From Science Daily

Nick Vamivakas, the Marie C. Wilson and Joseph C. Wilson Professor of Optical Physics with the URochester Institute of Optics, previously demonstrated a phonon laser in 2019 by trapping and levitating vibrations using an optical tweezer in a vacuum.

From Science Daily

"By pushing and pulling on a phonon laser with light in the right way, we can reduce that phonon laser fluctuation significantly."

From Science Daily

To address this issue, the team used a technique known as squeezing to reduce the natural thermal noise present in the phonon laser.

From Science Daily

With improved precision, phonon lasers could become powerful tools for measuring gravity and other forces with exceptional accuracy.

From Science Daily