quantize

quan·tize  (kwntz)

tr.v. quan·tized, quan·tiz·ing, quan·tiz·es Physics

1. To limit the possible values of (a magnitude or quantity) to a discrete set of values by quantum mechanical rules.

2. To apply quantum mechanics or the quantum theory to.

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quanti·zation (-t-zshn) n.

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quantize  (kwntz)

To limit a variable or variables describing a physical system to discrete, distinct values. For example, the energy of electromagnetic radiation such as light at a given frequency must be an integer multiple of h, where is the frequency and h is a Planck's constant; electromagnetic energy is thus inherently quantized (in this case, photons are the quanta of energy). The distinct orbitals of electrons in an atom are also a case of quantized energy. Many apparently continuous phenomena turn out to be quantized at a very fine level or very small scale; quantum mechanics was developed in large part to explain many unexpected cases of quantization in the natural world.

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	quantize - approximate (a signal varying continuously in amplitude) by one whose amplitude is restricted to a prescribed set of discrete values quantise telecommunication - (often plural) the branch of electrical engineering concerned with the technology of electronic communication at a distance estimate, gauge, approximate, guess, judge - judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time); "I estimate this chicken to weigh three pounds"
	2.	quantize - apply quantum theory to; restrict the number of possible values of (a quantity) or states of (a physical entity or system) so that certain variables can assume only certain discrete magnitudes that are integral multiples of a common factor; "Quantize gravity" quantise natural philosophy, physics - the science of matter and energy and their interactions; "his favorite subject was physics" compute, calculate, cipher, cypher, figure, reckon, work out - make a mathematical calculation or computation