Interferentsis

Interferentsis is a proposed term used to describe a general process in measurement and sensing systems where interfering signals or substances interact with a primary signal, altering the observed output. The concept encompasses a range of phenomena in which unwanted components modify, amplify, or distort the intended measurement, sometimes in ways that resemble constructive or destructive interference.

The mechanism of interferentsis can arise from technical, chemical, or physical interactions. In analytical measurements, overlapping spectral features, matrix effects, or cross-talk between channels can produce composite signals that bias quantification. In biosensing and immunoassays, nonspecific binding, fouling, or sample matrix effects can change signal magnitude independently of the target concentration. In optical and imaging systems, scatter, reflections, or refractive index variations can introduce artifacts that resemble true signals. The outcome is often a reduction in accuracy, precision, or limits of detection.

Fields most often concerned with interferentsis include spectroscopy, chemometrics and signal processing, environmental monitoring, and biomedical sensing. Researchers study its manifestations to improve calibration, develop robust signal-unmixing techniques, and design sensors with greater selectivity and reduced cross-interference. Common strategies to mitigate interferentsis involve experimental controls, advanced data analysis (such as multivariate or spectral-unmixing methods), sensor design improvements, and sample pretreatment to minimize interfering components.

See also: interference, spectral unmixing, cross-talk, signal processing, chemometrics.