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# Phonon

## Concept of Phonon

Last updated date: 21st Mar 2023
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The concept of phonon was introduced by soviet physicist Igor Tamm in 1932. The word phonon was derived from the Greek word phone, which refers to the meaning of sound or voice because long-wavelength phonons result in the production of sound. The name and the word are analogous to the photon. In analogy with the quantum energy, photon, in the electromagnetic field, the name phonon was suggested for the quantum lattice vibrational energy by Frenkel in 1935. Thus, phonons are the quanta of sound just like a photon is a quanta or the packet of energy for electromagnetic waves.

In this article, we are going to learn about the concept of phonons, what phonons are and a deep insight into the meaning of phonons for better understanding.

### What is Phonon?

• Solid crystal consists of atoms bound into a specific repeating three-dimensional spatial pattern called a lattice.

• The solids execute elastic behaviour at the atomic level, the bond between the atoms and the intermolecular bonds are elastic.

• The atoms act like they are connected with a spring, just like coupled harmonic oscillators and the thermal energy generated or any external forces will cause the atoms and molecules to oscillate. This will generate mechanical waves that carry heat and sound through the material.

• A packet of these waves can travel throughout the crystal with definite momentum and energy known as phonons.

• Now, what is phonon? The quantum of energy is a phonon. In other words, we can say, a phonon is the quantum energy of the lattice vibration, just like photons are the quantum energy of electromagnetic radiations. The energy of each phonon is given by:

⇒ E = hv

⇒E = ħ(2π)v

⇒ E = ħω……. (1)

Where,

ω -The angular frequency

ħ - The reduced Planck’s constant

### Phonon Meaning

• According to the phonon definition, a phonon is a collective excitation in a periodic, elastic arrangement of atoms or molecules condensed specifically in solids and some liquids. In other words, a phonon can be defined as a discrete unit of vibrational mechanical energy, the phonons exist with a discrete amount of energy given by E=ħ.

• Phonons play an important role in many of the physical properties of solid states, such as they play a key role in thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity. The study of phonons is an essential concept in condensed matter physics or solid-state physics.

• Phonon Vector: When a phonon with a wave vector is created by elastic scattering of a photon or neutron from wave vector K to K', the wave vector selection rule that governs the process is given by:

⇒ K = K' + G

Where,

G -The reciprocal lattice vector

### Types of Phonon

When the unit cell consists of more than one atom, the crystal will contain two types of phonons. Thus, there are two types of phonons that we study in condensed matter physics:

• Acoustic Phonon: In acoustic phonons, both positive and negative ions swing together.

• Optical Phonon: In optical phonons, both positive and negative ions swing against each other. The optical phonons are excited easily by light.

### Phonon Energy

Since, the atoms in the unit cell are behaving like a coupled oscillator, according to the quantum theory, the energy of the harmonic oscillator is given by

$\Rightarrow E = (1+\frac{1}{2}\bar{h}\omega)$

Where,

ω -The angular frequency

ħ - The reduced Planck’s constant

### Phonon Momentum

The phonon momentum is given by ħK, it is not the momentum of the phonon, it is often referred to as crystal momentum in general.

### Properties of Phonons

• Phonons are often used as a quasiparticle, some popular research has shown that phonons and protons may indeed have some kind of mass and be affected by gravity.

• phonons are said to have a kind of negative mass and negative gravity.

• phonons are known to travel faster (with maximum velocity) in denser materials.

• It is projected that phonons would deflect away as it detects the difference in densities, exhibiting the qualities of a negative gravitational field.

• Phonons have also been predicted to play a key role.

• They can also be used as quasiparticles.

• They can be affected by gravity.

• They tend to have negative energy and negative mass.

• They travel faster in denser material (with higher velocity).

### Phonons in Semiconductors

The lattice thermal conductivity of a number of semiconductors along with InSb, GaAs, GaSb, CdTe, and CdS has been measured between temperatures 1.7 and 300°K. This, together with previous works and experiments on Si and Ge, is used to investigate the validity of the relaxation time expressions for the scattering of phonons by boundaries, atomic impurities and electrons, and to discuss phonon-phonon interactions and resonance scattering effects.

The obtained results indicate that the boundary scattering and isotope scattering relaxation times lead to accurately calculated values of thermal conductivity only when the materials are exceptionally pure. And the structure, which has been identified as due to resonance scattering, has been observed in the data for most of the materials. Electron-phonon scattering has been noted in GaSb but the complexity of the problems make the analysis only qualitative. The phonon-phonon scattering is further studied into two more processes known as the U-process and N-process.

The limit scattering and isotope scattering unwinding times lead to precisely determined upsides of warm conductivity just when the materials are uncommonly unadulterated. Also, the construction, which has been distinguished because of reverberation scattering, has been seen in the information for the majority of the materials. Electron-phonon scattering has been noted in GaSb however the intricacy of the issues makes the examination just subjective. The phonon-phonon scattering was additionally examined into two additional cycles known as the U-interaction and N-process.

### Did You Know?

Phonons are analogous to photons, in fact, both possess almost identical properties. The following points will elaborate on why phonons are analogous to photons:

• Both phonons and photons are bosons. That means, both particles with integral spins.

• Both photons and phonons are the quanta of energy. Photons are the quanta of energy described for electromagnetic waves, whereas phonons are the quanta of energy for the lattice vibrations.

• Photons and phonons are not conserved entities.

## FAQs on Phonon

1. What is the definition of Phonon?

Phonon is just a packet of energy associated with sound waves propagating in space. According to the phonon definition, a phonon is a collective excitation in a periodic, elastic arrangement of atoms or molecules condensed specifically in solids and some liquids. In other words, a phonon can be defined as a discrete unit of vibrational mechanical energy, the phonons exist with a discrete amount of energy given by E = ħω.

2. What are Photons and Phonons?

Both Photons and Phonons are the packets of energies associated with the waves. Photons are the packets of energy associated with electromagnetic waves, and phonons are the packet of energy or quanta of energy associated with lattice vibrations. Phonons are analogous to photons, in fact, both possess almost identical properties.

3. Who invented the concept of Phonon and what does the word Phonon mean?

Igor Tamm introduced the process of phonon in 1932. He was a Soviet physicist who introduced the concept of phonon. It was taken from a Greek word called ‘phone’. It refers to the meaning of sound or voice. The term phonon was taken from a Greek word phone that means a voice or sound because the long-wavelength production of sound is created. This is because long phonons generally produce sound.

4. What are Phonons and how are they created? How do atoms of Phonon behave?

The atoms behave like they are associated with a spring, very much like coupled symphonious oscillators and the nuclear power created or any outer powers will make the atoms and particles waver. The solids execute versatile conduct at the atomic level, the connection between the atoms and the intermolecular securities are elastic. Photons are strong crystals composed of atoms bound into a particular rehashing three-layered spatial example called a lattice.

5. What are the types of Phonons released when a unit cell contains more than one atom?

Basically, there are two types of phonons that are produced when the unit cell contains more than one atom. The Phonon produced is called Acoustic Phonon and Optical Phonon. Acoustic Phonon - when both negative and positive ions swing with each other (together). Optical Phonon - when both positive and negative ions swing against each other. They are also excited easily by light.

6. What are the semiconductors of a phonon with a scientific approach?

The phonon-phonon scattering was additionally examined into two additional cycles known as the U-interaction and N-process. The limit scattering and isotope scattering unwinding times lead to precisely determined upsides of warm conductivity just when the materials are uncommonly unadulterated. The construction of Phonon has been distinguished because of reverberation scattering, which has been seen in the information for the majority of the materials. Electron-phonon scattering has been noted in GaSb however the intricacy of the issues makes the examination just subjective.

7. What are the properties of Phonon examined by the scientists?

The properties of Phonon that are examined by the scientists are that the Phonon can also be used as quasiparticles, they can be affected by gravity, Phonons travel faster in denser material (with higher velocity), and they tend to have negative energy and negative mass. These were basic properties of Phonon observed by the scientists.