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

See Examples For:

phonon

The advance could help pave the way for phonon lasers, a technology with potential uses in communications, medical diagnostics, and advanced sensing.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 2, 2026

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

In this study, Eichenfield and his colleagues introduced a new way to generate these surface waves using what they call a phonon laser.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 17, 2026

However, from the perspective of quantum mechanics, sound can also be described as a particle: the phonon.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 18, 2024