Phonons

Phonons are quasiparticles that consist of collective lattice vibrations of atoms in solid-state materials. In a solid-state material, atoms vibrate around their equilibrium positions at certain frequencies due to thermal energy. When these vibrations occur collectively over a large number of atoms, they are known as phonons. Phonons play an integral role in the properties of solids, such as heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity. As such, they are essential for understanding the physical and chemical properties of materials. Moreover, phonon-based technologies are being developed for applications such as computing, data storage, and energy storage.