Enhance uptime and quality control with next-gen vision sensors and infrared detection. Register for insights and more at the Sensors & Detectors Summit!
Search
Menu
Sheetak - Cooling at your Fingertip 11/24 LB
Photonics Dictionary

wavefront

A wavefront refers to the continuous surface or boundary representing points in a wave that are in phase, meaning they have the same phase or position in their respective cycles. In simpler terms, it's the front edge of a wave as it propagates through a medium.

For example, in a water wave, the wavefront would be the crest of the wave, representing the points where the water's surface reaches its highest elevation. Similarly, in a sound wave, the wavefront would represent the points of maximum pressure.

Wavefronts are often used in optics to describe the surfaces of light waves, particularly in discussing phenomena such as reflection, refraction, and diffraction. In this context, they represent the points where the electromagnetic oscillations are in phase as the light propagates through a medium.
 
See Also
Related Articles

Products & Suppliers
Related Categories


Explore Our Content
News
Features
Latest Products
Webinars
White Papers
All Things Photonics Podcast
Photonics Spectra Now
Videos
Our Summits & Conferences
Industry Events
Bookstore
Join Our Community
Subscribe
Advertise
Become a member
Sign in
Contribute a Feature
Suggest a Webinar
Submit a Press Release
Mobile Apps

About Us
Our Company
Our Publications
Contact Us
Career Opportunities
Teddi C. Laurin Scholarship

Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)



©2024 Photonics Media
100 West St.
Pittsfield, MA, 01201 USA
[email protected]
We use cookies to improve user experience and analyze our website traffic as stated in our Privacy Policy. By using this website, you agree to the use of cookies unless you have disabled them.