[mriver8 (OP)]

Or radiation acoustics?

[yor_on]

You're probably asking about 'phonons' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_amplification_by_stimulated_emission_of_radiation

Those comes from treating matter as a lattice having a 'collective excitation' (vibrating) in where you then define 'quasi particles' carrying this 'force', called phonons, somewhat alike 'photons'.

[alancalverd]

Acoustic radiation is what ordinary peasants call "sound": compression waves.