Nichtuniforme

Nichtuniforme is the German term for non-uniform, used to describe a property, field, or distribution that varies across space or time rather than remaining constant. In the sciences it denotes inhomogeneity or irregularity in a system. Examples include a material with ρ(x) that changes with position, a temperature distribution T(x) with spatial gradients, and an optical medium with a refractive index n(x) that is not constant. Non-uniformities also arise in magnetic or electric fields, where B(r) or E(r) vary with position, and in illumination or exposure patterns that are not spatially uniform.

In statistics and probability, the idea corresponds to non-uniform distributions, as opposed to a uniform distribution on a given domain. The term is also used in engineering to refer to gradients of mechanical properties, such as non-uniform stress or composition in a cast, or to non-uniformities in sensors, detectors, or materials that influence performance.

Non-uniformities can be quantified by spatial gradients (|∇f|), variance, or coefficient of variation; spectral or Fourier analysis may reveal the characteristic scales of variation. Conceptually, non-uniformity contrasts with uniformity or homogeneity, where a quantity is constant or the same in all directions. In practice, recognizing and characterizing Nichtuniforme is essential for design, control, and interpretation of measurements in physics, engineering, and beyond.