Estimation of the mean normal measure from flat sections

Abstract

We discuss the determination of the mean normal measure of a stationary random set Z ⊂ ℝd by taking measurements at the intersections of Z with k-dimensional planes. We show that mean normal measures of sections with vertical planes determine the mean normal measure of Z if k ≥ 3 or if k = 2 and an additional mild assumption holds. The mean normal measures of finitely many flat sections are not sufficient for this purpose. On the other hand, a discrete mean normal measure can be verified (i.e. an a priori guess can be confirmed or discarded) using mean normal measures of intersections with m suitably chosen planes when m ≥ ⌊d / k⌋ + 1. This even holds for almost all m-tuples of k-dimensional planes are viable for verification. A consistent estimator for the mean normal measure of Z, based on stereological measurements in vertical sections, is also presented.