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

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

From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 2026

The breakthrough centers on a device called a surface acoustic wave phonon laser.

From Science Daily • Jan. 17, 2026

He adds that the work also highlights the growing importance of circular phonon fields, first demonstrated by the group in 2017, as a powerful tool for manipulating unconventional material phases.

From Science Daily • Nov. 21, 2025

It's been suspected that during an electromagnon the atoms in the lattice wiggle and the spins wobble in an excitation that is essentially a combination of a phonon and a magnon.

From Science Daily • Nov. 28, 2023

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