Hello,
quantum I believe refers to the idea that reality exist in discreet packets of information. A individual amount, quantum was dubbed back the early days of quantum mechanics from (quanti or quanto) Latin word for a amount. It can also denote that which refers to the quantum world or quantum reality, the world of the very small where QM describes partical behavior.
In regards to quantums I believe you mean quantum particle?
Here is a link I found:
Science | AAAS
Edited by 1.61803, : particle
"You were not there for the beginning. You will not be there for the end. Your knowledge of what is going on can only be superficial and relative" William S. Burroughs