Phonon vs Photon: What's the Difference?

In summary: The stuff by Hoyle and Narlikar follows Wheeler's and Feynman's absorber theory and aims at steady-state cosmology which is in any way far from mainstream. It is somewhat correct physics (although difficulties with the microwave background given by WMAP results arise which might, however, be settled), but definitely not mainstream.
  • #1
Nucengable
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0
What is the difference between the photon and the phonon ?
 
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  • #2
Photons are quanta (particles) of the electromanetic field; phonons are collective excitations (quasi particles) of lattices in condensed matter.
 
  • #3
Thank you.
 
  • #4
tom.stoer said:
Photons are quanta (particles) of the electromanetic field; phonons are collective excitations (quasi particles) of lattices in condensed matter.

Photons can be also interpreted as quasi particles resulting from collective excitations. This is specially true in action-at-a-distance theory electrodynamics, where electromagnetic fields do not exist as material systems.
 
  • #5
juanrga said:
Photons can be also interpreted as quasi particles resulting from collective excitations. This is specially true in action-at-a-distance theory electrodynamics, where electromagnetic fields do not exist as material systems.
What do you have in mind? In QED photons are elementary particles, whereas phonons always consist of underlying structures.
 
  • #6
juanrga said:
Photons can be also interpreted as quasi particles resulting from collective excitations. This is specially true in action-at-a-distance theory electrodynamics, where electromagnetic fields do not exist as material systems.

Do you mean something like a coherent state?
 
  • #7
tom.stoer said:
What do you have in mind? In QED photons are elementary particles, whereas phonons always consist of underlying structures.

In field-theoretic QED photons are the particles associated to the EM field. IN AAAD QED, there is not EM field and photons are quasiparticles
 
  • #8
jfy4 said:
Do you mean something like a coherent state?

I do not know what do you mean by coherent state, but I think is unrelated.
 
  • #9
juanrga said:
In field-theoretic QED photons are the particles associated to the EM field. IN AAAD QED, there is not EM field and photons are quasiparticles
What is AAAD QED? Can you provide some explanations or references? How is this related to the original question which can be interpreted as a question regarding mainstream physics?
 
  • #10
tom.stoer said:
What is AAAD QED? Can you provide some explanations or references? How is this related to the original question which can be interpreted as a question regarding mainstream physics?

AAAD = Action-At-A-Distance

http://rmp.aps.org/abstract/RMP/v67/i1/p113_1

Because your answer is only a half of the modern picture...
 
  • #11
juanrga said:
AAAD = Action-At-A-Distance

http://rmp.aps.org/abstract/RMP/v67/i1/p113_1

Because your answer is only a half of the modern picture...
Sorry, my answer is approximately 99.999% of the modern picture; but what you propose is not 'the modern picture' at but definately beyond standard (mainstream) physics. That does not mean that it's wrong, but it's definately irrelevant for this thread and confusing for the OP.
 
  • #12
tom.stoer said:
Sorry, my answer is approximately 99.999% of the modern picture;

Agree with a systematic error of about a 75% in your number :rolleyes:.

tom.stoer said:
but what you propose is not 'the modern picture' at but definately beyond standard (mainstream) physics.

Agree again with you, the American Physical Society, and Reviews of Modern Physics are well-known non-mainstream resources :wink:.

tom.stoer said:
That does not mean that it's wrong, but it's definately irrelevant for this thread and confusing for the OP.

Yes, it is best to repeat semi-correct clichés, without being aware of modern avenues of research.
 
  • #14
juanrga said:
Agree again with you, the American Physical Society, and Reviews of Modern Physics are well-known non-mainstream resources :wink:.

RMP is especially devoted to "recent work of interest to all physicists, especially work at the frontiers of physics" as the APS states. As such it is indeed also aiming at non-mainstream positions. For a RMP, 18 indexed citations in 16 years also mean more or less that the topic is certainly not mainstream.

The stuff by Hoyle and Narlikar follows Wheeler's and Feynman's absorber theory and aims at steady-state cosmology which is in any way far from mainstream. It is somewhat correct physics (although difficulties with the microwave background given by WMAP results arise which might, however, be settled), but definitely not mainstream.
 

Related to Phonon vs Photon: What's the Difference?

1. What are phonons and photons?

Phonons and photons are both fundamental particles in the field of physics. Phonons are quasiparticles that represent vibrations or oscillations in a material, while photons are particles of light or electromagnetic radiation.

2. How do phonons and photons differ?

The main difference between phonons and photons is their physical properties. Phonons are considered to be mechanical or vibrational waves, while photons are electromagnetic waves. Additionally, phonons are associated with sound and heat energy, while photons are associated with light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation.

3. How are phonons and photons similar?

Despite their differences, phonons and photons also have some similarities. Both particles are considered to be quanta, meaning they exist in discrete units rather than continuously. They also both exhibit wave-like properties and can interact with matter.

4. In what applications are phonons and photons used?

Phonons and photons have a wide range of applications in various fields. Phonons are commonly used in the study of materials and their properties, such as in the development of new technologies and devices. Photons, on the other hand, are used in various technologies including lasers, solar panels, and telecommunications.

5. How do phonons and photons contribute to our understanding of the universe?

Phonons and photons play crucial roles in our understanding of the universe. Phonons help us understand the behavior and properties of materials, which are essential in many fields of science and technology. Photons, on the other hand, help us study and observe the universe through various forms of electromagnetic radiation, providing us with valuable information about the cosmos.

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