quantized

English

Etymology

From quantize +‎ -ed.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈkwɒntʌɪzd/

Verb

quantized

1. simple past and past participle of quantize

Adjective

quantized (comparative more quantized, superlative most quantized)

1. (physics) Expressed or existing only in terms of discrete quanta; limited by the restrictions of quantization (i.e. measurement). [from 20th c.]
   • 2011, Brian Cox, Jeff Forshaw, The Quantum Universe, Allen Lane, published 2011, page 96:

     This is very clear for the standing waves on a guitar string: the fundamental has a wavelength of twice the length of the string, and the next longest allowed wavelength is equal to the length of the string. There is no standing wave with a wavelength between these two and so we can say that the allowed wavelengths on a guitar string are quantized.

Usage note

Most often used in context of the science of quantum mechanics.

Derived terms

• quantized electronic structure
• quantized vortex