On the coverage of k-dimensional space by k-dimensional spheres (Q1068422)

The asymptotic properties of coverage probabilities are investigated for n balls each of content \(a_ n\) distributed independently within a unit k-dimensional cube with toroidal edge correction. In the case of uniformly distributed balls, a necessary and sufficient condition for the probability of the entire cube being covered at least \(\ell\) times to tend to 1 as \(n\to \infty\) is that \(na_ n-\log n-(k+\ell -2) \log \log n\to \infty.\) An analogous result holds for spheres located according to a homogeneous Poisson point process as the intensity parameter tends to \(\infty.\) In the case of a non-uniform density f governing the sphere centres, the corresponding condition is \(na_ n f(m)-\log n-(k/2+\ell -2) \log \log n\to \infty.\) Here the unique, non-zero minimum of f occurs at m, and it is assumed that f is bounded with continuous, positive definite second order derivatives at m. In the uniform case, lower and upper bounds of the same order are provided for the probability of complete \(\ell\)- coverage.