: a quantum of vibrational energy (as in a crystal)
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Because the atoms are so tightly packed, vibrations within the crystal structure, called phonons, can dissipate heat extremely efficiently.—New Atlas, 30 Nov. 2024 Physicists have discovered an entire zoo of quasiparticles in solid materials with names such as phonons, magnons, spinons, holons and plasmons.—Douglas Natelson, Scientific American, 19 Mar. 2024 Instead of knocking excitons around, phonons in this molecule bind to them to create a new quasiparticle that flow freely through the semiconductor at twice the speed of electrons.—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Dec. 2023 The secret to its speed lies the behavior of phonons, quasiparticles formed from vibrations in a solid.—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for phonon
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Russian fonon, from Greek phōnḗ "sound made by something living, voice" + Russian -on-on entry 2 — more at -on entry 2 — more at phono-
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