PHY.K02UF Molecular and Solid State Physics

Phonons

Phonons are quantized particles of sound. Similar to photons, the phonon energy is related to the frequency of the sound waves E = hf and the phonon momentum is related to the wavelength of the sound waves p = h/λ. Sound waves with wavelengths much longer than the lattice constant of a crystal, are described by the wave equation. The wave equation was quantizied in the section on the quantization of the electromagnetic field and the quantization of sound proceeds similarly. A table summarizing the results for phonons is given below.

Reading
Read the Normal Modes and Phonons section of the outline.
Kittel chapter 4: Crystal vibrations or R. Gross und A. Marx: Dynamik des Kristallgitters
Kittel chapter 5: Phonons and lattice vibrations R. Gross und A. Marx: Thermische Eigenschaften des Kristallgitters

Resources
Table summarizing the properties of phonons
International Tables for Crystallography: Phonons