quantize

/ˈkwɑnˌtaɪz/
verb
  1. To limit something to a set of specific, separate values or levels, especially in digital technology or music.
    • When you digitize an analog signal, you must quantize the continuous wave into discrete steps.
    • The music producer used a tool to quantize the drum beats so they matched the tempo exactly.
    • The software can quantize audio recordings to remove background noise.
  2. In physics, to apply the principles of quantum mechanics to a system, treating it as having discrete energy levels.
    • The theory attempts to quantize gravity, which remains a major challenge in modern physics.
    • To understand the behavior of light, scientists quantize the electromagnetic field.
    • Physicists quantize the energy of an electron in an atom to explain its spectral lines.
Synonyms