quantum jumpn.
/ˌkwɒntəm ˈdʒʌmp/, U.S. /ˌkwɑn(t)əm ˈdʒəmp/ 1. Physics. An abrupt transition between one stationary state of a quantized system and another, with the absorption or emission of a quantum.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > quantum theory > electron shell > [noun] > charge of quantized state > abrupt
quantum transition1923
quantum jump1924
quantum leap1930
1924 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 15 Mar. 85 The second column gives the quantum numbers designating the quantum jump under consideration.
1937 E. C. Kemble Fund. Princ. Quantum Mech. viii. 290 The variation in the distribution function thus defined..is commonly interpreted as due to ‘quantum jumps’ from one energy level to the other caused by the radiation.
1992 Sci. Amer. May 109/1 Heisenberg and his colleagues had developed a formalism for quantum mechanics in 1925... They adhered to such essentials as the existence of quantum jumps and the discontinuities within atoms.
2. = quantum leap n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > [noun] > instance or degree of > significant
jump1657
tide-wave1833
tidal wave1870
breakthrough1944
quantum jump1949
quantum leap1956
the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > rapid or sharp increase
mushroom growth1727
skyrocketing1821
wave1851
jump1883
mushrooming1916
bump-up1927
upsurgence1934
upsurge1935
explosion1953
surge1964
quantum jump1975
quantum leap1977
1949 L. Strauss Memo AEC Commiss. 5 Oct. in Men & Decisions (1962) xi. 217 The time has come for a quantum jump in our planning (to borrow a metaphor from our scientist friends)—that is to say, that we should now make an intensive effort to get ahead with the super [hydrogen bomb].
1955 Sci. News Let. 19 Feb. 116/2 Radioactive fall-out is the ‘third quantum jump’ in the history of modern weapons. The first quantum jump, Dr. Lapp explained, was the A-bomb that shattered Hiroshima.
1961 Flight 80 907/1 On the subject of launch operations, Mr Debus claimed that a ‘quantum jump’ was necessary to meet the challenge of the lunar programme.
1975 Chinese Econ. Stud. 8 iv. 52 In old China, the issue of legal tender reached astronomical figures, leading to galloping inflation and quantum jumps in prices.
2002 J. C. Wharton Nature Cures xii. 291 The same quantum jump in scientific sophistication is evident in the Journal of Naturopathic Medicine.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1924