a theory concerning the behaviour of physical systems based on Planck's idea that they can only possess certain properties, such as energy and angular momentum, in discrete amounts (quanta). The theory later developed in several equivalent mathematical forms based on De Broglie's theory and on the Heisenberg uncertainty principle
wave mechanics
quantum theory in American English
the theory that energy is not absorbed or radiated continuously but discontinuously, and only in multiples of definite, indivisible units (quanta)
Examples of 'quantum theory' in a sentence
quantum theory
With his theory, Merced also solved the renormalization problem of quantum theory.