There are different first-principles methods for calculating the phonon dispersion relations. Out of these methods, we get information about the phonon frequencies and polarisation vectors. In this notes, I will provide a comment about the available methods for visualising the phonon polarisation.
Quantum-espresso: Density functional perturbation theory is implemented in the Quantum-espresso code. Using this, we can calculate dynamical matrix D(q) at a given phonon wave-vector, q. Phonon dispersion at a given wave-vector q can be calculated by diagonalising the D(q). This can be done by using a post-processing script dynmat.x (Ex.: dynmat < dynmat.in > dynmat.out). It generates frequencies and eigenvectors of each normal mode at q. The eigenvectors files are in *.axsf and *.mold formats that can be visualised using xcrysden and molden codes respectively.
xcrysden: The polarisation can be visualised using display forces option in xcrysden. However, the required modulation is not produced automatically when the cell size is extended using a number of units drawn drop down option. It is simply repeating the unit-cell and wave modulation is not seen.
molden: Molden code was installed. *.mold files can be visualised. But difficult to navigate. Needs to be explored further.
Other options for visualisation of phonons (explore these and write later):