Definition of wavefront

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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.

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