One concept which finds its applications in various fields of Physics is Quantization. Quantization involves the transition from understanding classical physical phenomena called quantum mechanics. Quantization is also involved in the field of digital communication to represent the sampled values of the amplitude by a finite set of levels, which means converting a continuous-amplitude sample into a discrete-time signal.
Quantization of the electromagnetic field, light quantization, quantization is involved in chemistry, nuclear physics, condensed matter physics, particle physics, quantum optics, and atomic physics.
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What is Quantization
We know that in digital communication, information is transmitted in the form of signals. Quantization refers to the transmission of an analog signal into a digital signal. It is the way of representing the sampled values of the amplitude by a finite set of levels. It is the process of converting a sample of continuous-amplitude signals into a discrete-time signal.
The concept of quantization is broad and it is put forth that physical quantities can assume only certain discrete values. Light, energy, angular momentum, electrical charges, and matter can be quantized on the microscopic level. Quantization in macroscopic scale is not possible since the size of the steps between each possible value is comparatively too small.
Example: Particles which are the constituents of matter cannot be subdivided, since the particles are quantized. We know that it is not possible to have half an electron. The energy levels of electrons in atoms are quantized. The energy of the electron can take up only certain values, and cannot assume any other intermediate values
Quantization in Physics has revolutionized the way of thinking of the concept of physical phenomena in terms of quantum mechanics. Quantization features the concepts of mathematics. Let us know the quantization involved in light, electric charges, and signals.
Quantization of Light
The branch of science that deals with the behaviour of light and matter with respect to atomic and subatomic scales is known as quantum mechanics. Quantum theory of light refers to light behaving as quanta or photon. Quantum theory describes that matter, and light consists of minute particles that have properties of waves that are associated with them. Light consists of particles known as photons and matter made up of particles known as protons, electrons, and neutrons.
James Clerk Maxwell explained the wave nature of light. The wave theory of light explains that light is an electromagnetic wave that travels at the speed of light through space. The light frequency is relevant to its wavelength, according to the following relation.
Where,
ν = frequency
c=speed of light
λ = wavelength
According to the particle behaviour of light, light travels as packets of energy, and each packet is known as a photon. Each photon carries a quantity of energy equal to the product of the frequency of vibration of that photon and Planck’s constant. The quantum theory of light was given by Einstein. A quanta carries an energy that is dependent on frequency and Planck’s constant, given by the formula:
E = hv
Energy = Planck’s constant × frequency
(h = 6.63 × 10-34 J·s)
Light behaves as a particle as well as a wave, hence we can say that light is dual in nature.
Quantization of Electric Charges
We know that electric charge is the physical property of matter which is responsible for experiencing a force when placed in an electromagnetic field. The SI unit of electric charge is Coulomb. We also know that charges can be added (additivity of electric charge), charges can be conserved (conservation of electric charges), and charges can be quantized (quantization of electric charge).
Quantization of electric charge refers to the concept that charge can take up only certain discrete values. It means that the observed value of the particle’s electric charge (q) will be integral multiples of (e) 1.6 × 10-19 coulombs. Charge quantization is the principle that the charge of any object is an integer multiple of the elementary charge.
It is given by the formula:
q = ne
Where,
n = 0, 1, 2, ….(both positive and negative integers)
The value of e is 1.6 × 10-19 Coulomb
Read more: Properties of electric charges
Quantization in Signal Processing
Signal processing is the main concept in digital communication. Quantization is the process of mapping continuous amplitude (analog) signals into discrete amplitude (digital) signals. In the process of quantization, the input amplitude is rounded off to the nearest quantized level. In the digital signal processing technique, the process of quantization refers to the representation of a signal in digital form.
There are many types of errors that arise in digital communication. Quantization error is also one such error that is calculated as the difference between an input value and its quantized value. A quantizer is a device that supports the process of quantization. It converts an analog signal into a digital signal.
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Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What is quantization?
The concept of quantization puts forth that physical quantities can assume only certain discrete values.
Who gave the quantum theory of light?
The quantum theory of light was given by Einstein.
What does quantization refer to in digital signal processing?
In the digital signal processing technique, the process of quantization refers to the representation of a signal in digital form.
What is the function of a quantizer?
What is the SI unit of electric charge?
The SI unit of electric charge is Coulomb.
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