Likelihood and nearest-neighbor distance properties of multidimensional Poisson cluster processes

The probability generating functional representation of a multidimensional Poisson cluster process is utilized to derive a formula for its likelihood function, but the prohibitive complexity of this formula precludes its practical application to statistical inference. In the case of isotropic processes, it is however feasible to compute functions such as the probability Q(r) of finding no point in a disc of radius r and the probability Q(r | 0) of nearest-neighbor distances greater than r, as well as the expected number C(r | 0) of points at a distance less than r from a given point. Explicit formulas and asymptotic developments are derived for these functions in the n-dimensional case. These can effectively be used as tools for statistical analysis.

Likelihood and nearest-neighbor distance properties of multidimensional Poisson cluster processes

The probability generating functional representation of a multidimensional Poisson cluster process is utilized to derive a formula for its likelihood function, but the prohibitive complexity of this formula precludes its practical application to statistical inference. In the case of isotropic processes, it is however feasible to compute functions such as the probability Q(r) of finding no point in a disc of radius r and the probability Q(r | 0) of nearest-neighbor distances greater than r, as well as the expected number C(r | 0) of points at a distance less than r from a given point. Explicit formulas and asymptotic developments are derived for these functions in the n-dimensional case. These can effectively be used as tools for statistical analysis.

XVI.—Creeping Waves in an Inhomogeneous Medium

SynopsisThis paper is concerned with high-frequency scattering in a medium, the square of whose refractive index varies linearly with height from a plane boundary. Two asymptotic methods are examined, namely the method of stationary phase and evaluation by residue series. The first of these corresponds to geometric optics and gives the high-frequency field in the illuminated region, while the second complements the first in the sense that if thsre is no point of stationary phase, the residue series is an asymptotic expansion of the field. The Airy functions in the residue series can be replaced by their asymptotic developments in terms of exponentials, and when this is done only the first term or first creeping wave is of genuine significance.