Article
Article
Phonon
Article By:
Klemens, Paul G. Department of Physics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut.
Last reviewed:August 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.508000
A quantum of vibrational energy in a solid or other elastic medium. This vibrational energy can be transported by elastic waves. The energy content of each wave is quantized. For a wave of frequency f, the energy is (N + ½)h f, where N is an integer and h is Planck's constant. Apart from the zero-point energy, ½h f, there are N quanta of energy h f. In elastic or lattice waves, these quanta are called phonons. Quantization of energy is not related to the discreteness of the lattice, and also applies to waves in a continuum. See also: Quantum mechanics; Wave motion
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