Buffon type problem in the Euclidean space \(\mathbb{R}^3\) (Q1809703)

For a lattice of planes in \(\mathbb{R}^3\) whose elementary cell is a prism with an arbitrary triangular base, the author calculates the probability that a randomly positioned sphere with a given radius cuts at least one of the planes of the lattice. The result is expressed in terms of symmetric expressions. This generalizes earlier results due to \textit{E. Bosetto} [Suppl. Rend. Circ. Mat. Palermo, II. Ser. 50, 77-87 (1997; Zbl 0891.60014)] who worked with prisms bases being right-angled triangles. Independence properties of certain associated events and generalizations to prisms with arbitrary polygonal bases are also considered.