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Glite Dictionary
wavefront

wavefront

4 8.1
An invisible surface joining points reached by a wave at the same time
  • noun
  • /ˈweɪvfrʌnt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : frente de onda
  • The interface between red and blue shows a wavefront of activation that spreads from cell to cell.
  • vibrational wavefront
  • wavefront perturbations
  • stellar wavefronts

So it's just a completely different mode of wavefront propagation.

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Examples

  • The destructive interference over the entire beam wavefront is complete.

    Academic text (1999)

  • The result is an ultra-slow-motion movie of the expanding wavefront striking the crystal surface.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Figure 4 shows several frames of the wavefront movie for a crystal of silicon.

    Academic text (1995)

  • So it's just a completely different mode of wavefront propagation.

    Lex Fridman

  • In this manner, the planet's atmosphere provides all of the functions of a wavefront reconstructor.

    Academic text (2000)

  • In order to ensure good wavefront quality, the lasers must be index-guided.

    Academic text (1996)

  • We see a clear indication of a nonspherical wavefront emanating from the point source.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Figure 1 gives a glimpse of the nature of elastic wavefronts in a crystal of silicon.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Larger telescopes, however, require a full AO system with a deformable mirror and wavefront reconstructor to restore their full resolution.

    Academic text (2000)

  • The researchers analyzed how sound propagates by observing the wavefront created in the water.

Synonyms

wave front
vswavefront
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A surface that joins points a wave reaches at the same time, like light or sound

is the physics term spelled as a single word for that surface

Surface Forms

wavefront singular
wavefronts plural

Morphology

wavefront = wave + front (transparent) = wave + front

The meaning follows directly from 'wave' + 'front': the leading or boundary surface associated with a wave, a composition that is clear to learners.

Etymology

Wavefront combines the words wave and front, where front means the 'leading edge' or first part of something. So a wavefront is the invisible line or surface that joins all points a wave reaches at the same time, which is why scientists use it to show how the wave moves.