| Analyte | The target molecule in solution that binds specifically to the ligand immobilized on the mologram. |
| Avidity | The cumulative binding strength when multiple binding sites engage simultaneously, resulting in slower apparent dissociation. |
| Backfilling | The process of immobilising a chemically similar non-active molecule into the grooves of the mologram, ensuring affinity-matched NSB suppression in complex media. |
| Coherent Mass Density (CMD) | The diffractometric signal of FM, reported in pg/mm². Measures only mass bound specifically in register with the mologram grating; intrinsically blind to non-specific adsorption and bulk refractive-index changes. |
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| Focal Spot | The diffraction-limited point of constructive interference produced by analyte binding on the mologram ridges. |
| Frontfilling | The process of immobilising the specific capture ligand onto the ridges of the mologram. |
| Grooves | Passive, non-binding regions of the mologram that provide the periodic contrast needed for diffraction and serve as the built-in nanoscale reference. |
| Ligand | The capture molecule immobilized on the mologram (e.g., antibody, DNA) that specifically binds the analyte of interest. |
| Mass Density (MD) | The refractometric signal of FM, reported in pg/mm². Responds to all refractive-index changes at the surface, analogous to SPR response units. Used primarily as a diagnostic channel. |
| Mologram | A nanostructured, periodic pattern on the sensor surface composed of ligand-functionalized ridges and non-binding grooves that produces coherent scattering when analytes bind. |
Mologram Naming (SM_RxCy) | Single Mologram at Row x, Column yon the 8 × 8 chip grid. Example: SM_R3C4= row 3, column 4. |
| Nonspecific Binding (NSB) | Random adsorption of molecules to the surface that generates incoherent background signal, intrinsically rejected by the CMD channel when ridge–groove chemistry is affinity-matched. |
| Regeneration | The process of removing bound analytes from the mologram surface to allow chip reuse or sequential measurements. |
| Ridges | Active regions of the mologram functionalized with capture molecules where specific binding occurs. |
| Sensogram | A real-time plot of binding response (coherent mass density) versus time, showing association and dissociation phases. |
| Waveguide | The thin-film optical layer on the sensor chip that guides the laser light and enables evanescent field interaction with the mologram. |