QUANTUM (quanta)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected form: quanta   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does quantum mean? 

• QUANTUM (noun)
  The noun QUANTUM has 2 senses:

1. a discrete amount of something that is analogous to the quantities in quantum theory

2. (physics) the smallest discrete quantity of some physical property that a system can possess (according to quantum theory)

  Familiarity information: QUANTUM used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• QUANTUM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A discrete amount of something that is analogous to the quantities in quantum theory

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("quantum" is a kind of...):

quantity (the concept that something has a magnitude and can be represented in mathematical expressions by a constant or a variable)

Derivation:

quantal (of or relating to a quantum or capable of existing in only one of two states)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(physics) the smallest discrete quantity of some physical property that a system can possess (according to quantum theory)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("quantum" is a kind of...):

amount; measure; quantity (how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify)

Domain category:

natural philosophy; physics (the science of matter and energy and their interactions)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "quantum"):

quasiparticle (a quantum of energy (in a crystal lattice or other system) that has position and momentum and can in some respects be regarded as a particle)

Derivation:

quantal (of or relating to a quantum or capable of existing in only one of two states)

 Context examples 

Importantly, researchers say, several of these new quantum Hall states may be useful in making fault-tolerant quantum computers.

(Research reveals exotic quantum states in double-layer graphene, National Science Foundation)

But in a quantum computer, you’d only need to add one more quantum bit, or qubit, to double the information.

(Quantum state of single electrons controlled by ‘surfing’ on sound waves, University of Cambridge)

The researchers were able to store and transmit bits of quantum information, known as qubits, using a diamond in which they had replaced two carbon atoms with one silicon atom.

(Key Tech for Quantum Communications Offered by Implanting Diamonds with Flaws, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

"It seems nature has several new tricks that will force scientists to reevaluate theories on special quantum materials," said Chakhalian.

(Iridium 'loses its identity' when interfaced with nickel, National Science Foundation)

Wit, valour, and politeness, were likewise proposed to be largely taxed, and collected in the same manner, by every person’s giving his own word for the quantum of what he possessed.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

Since quantum dots are sensitive to photons, the transistor is capable of perceiving light.

(Transistor that mimics neurons developed, SciDev.Net)

The advance could also hasten new technologies for solar-energy conversion, quantum information, and near-infrared driven photocatalysis.

(Making higher energy light to fight cancer, National Science Foundation)

Then, they can attach any material — metal, DNA, or tiny “quantum dot” particles — to the structure.

(Researchers Use Laser to Shrink Objects to Nanoscale, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

The nanolaser also can operate in extremely confined spaces, including quantum circuits and microprocessors for ultra-fast and low-power electronics.

(Tiny, biocompatible laser could function inside living tissues, National Science Foundation)

A488 is a photostable fluorescent dye with a high quantum yield.

(Anti-PSMA Monoclonal Antibody MDX1201-A488, NCI Thesaurus)