optical wavefronts

Optical wavefronts are surfaces that connect points in space where light waves are in phase—meaning the waves are at the same stage in their cycle at a given moment. Imagine ripples in a pond; the wavefront is like an imaginary line drawn across the peaks of those ripples. As light travels, these wavefronts help us understand how light moves and interacts with objects. Changes in a wavefront can indicate how light bends or focuses, which is crucial in optics, such as in lenses and vision correction.