A new physical mechanism allows 'phonon lasing' driven by optical forces at ambient conditions
Recent years have seen a steady increase in the number of research reports dealing with full control of phonons. The word "phononics" is slowly entering the scientific vocabulary to indicate a platform in which coherent phonons can be generated, harnessed and detected. In the field of photonics, lasers were a key element to fully enable the technology, but development was not achieved until lasers became easy to build and control. Likewise, despite the so-called "phonon laser" that has been demonstrated in several publications, the high device quality (narrow linewidth) and strict experimental demands of vacuum and low temperature necessary for observable effects or potential applications make it too complex a source for a rapid implementation.