A quantum of acoustic energy, the level of which is a function of the frequency of the acoustic wave. Note: Phonons in acoustics are analogous to photons in electromagnetics. The energy of a phonon is usually less than 0. 1 eV (electron-volt) and thus is one or two orders of magnitude less than that of a photon. When photons and phonons interact in semiconductors used in communications systems, undesirable system behavior can occur.