What are wavefronts in wave optics?

Wavefronts in wave optics are defined as surfaces that connect points in a wave that are in the same phase of oscillation. This means that all points on a single wavefront will oscillate together, reaching their maximum and minimum displacements at the same time. For example, in a light wave, a wavefront would represent all points where the light has the same phase, whether it is at a peak or trough of the wave.

Understanding wavefronts is crucial for the analysis of various optical phenomena, such as refraction and diffraction. The concept helps in visualizing how waves propagate through different media and how they interact with each other. When studying these interactions, knowing that wavefronts represent regions of uniform phase allows for better comprehension of how light behaves in various scenarios, thus making them a fundamental concept in wave optics.