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

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 • Mar. 31, 2026

Researchers have proposed quantum compasses as highly accurate, "unjammable" alternatives to GPS that do not rely on satellites, and phonon lasers could help bring such concepts closer to reality.

From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 2026

"This phonon laser was the last domino standing that we needed to knock down," Eichenfield said.

From Science Daily • Jan. 17, 2026

By the very nature of the phonon being a quasiparticle in a crystal it can be shown that the same mathematical pattern holds as for their biological counterparts in water.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2024

Certain wavelengths of light, when polarized in a direction aligned with the molecules, prompt strong lattice vibrations—a phenomenon called a phonon resonance.

From Scientific American • Nov. 18, 2022