University of Rochester Scientists Engineer Ultra-Precise Squeezed Phonon Laser to Revolutionize Quantum Gravity Measurements and Satellite-Free Navigation

University of Rochester scientists create a "squeezed" phonon laser using sound particles to reduce noise, paving the way for unjammable quantum navigation.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 30, 2026, 6:28 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from University of Rochester

The Transition from Photonic to Phononic Control

Since the invention of the laser in the 1960s, the scientific community has primarily focused on the manipulation of photons, or individual particles of light. However, the last two decades have seen a shift toward controlling other fundamental particles, including phonons, which represent individual units of mechanical vibration or sound. According to Nick Vamivakas, a professor of optical physics at the University of Rochester, mastering phononic behavior allows researchers to exploit unique quantum properties such as entanglement. This evolution in laser technology suggests that sound-based systems may soon provide the same transformative impact on industry and medicine that light-based lasers achieved in the 20th century.

Levitation and the Architecture of Sound Lasers

The foundational work for this breakthrough began in 2019, when the Rochester team first demonstrated a phonon laser by trapping and levitating particles using optical tweezers within a vacuum. Unlike conventional lasers that emit a beam of light, a phonon laser coaxes mechanical motion to behave with the same coherence and directionality as a light source. By isolating these individual particles of vibration from external environmental interference, scientists can observe the fundamental nature of motion at the nanoscale. This laboratory environment provides a controlled stage for testing the limits of particle acceleration and the intricate interactions between quantum mechanics and classical physics.

Overcoming the Barrier of Thermal Noise

The primary obstacle preventing phonon lasers from becoming practical measurement tools has been the presence of intrinsic noise, or unwanted fluctuations that obscure delicate signals. Even a seemingly steady laser beam possesses minute disturbances that can compromise the accuracy of high-stakes scientific readings. To address this, the researchers developed a "squeezed" phonon laser, a process that involves pushing and pulling on the particles with light in a specific sequence to dampen thermal noise. Vamivakas notes that by significantly reducing these fluctuations, the phonon laser can achieve a level of precision that far surpasses traditional photonic or radio frequency measurement techniques.