On the Continuity and Absolute Continuity of Random Closed Sets

Abstract

In the case of real-valued random variables, the concept of absolute continuity is well-defined in terms of the absolute continuity of the probability law of a random variable with respect to the usual Lebesgue measure, since both are acting on the same Borel sigma algebra on the real line. Naturally, the same extends to random vectors with real components. A satisfactory and commonly accepted definition of absolute continuity of random closed sets is not available, while in various applications this would help in clarifying the kind of randomness of a random set. We introduce here a definition that is shown to be an extension of the concept related to real-valued random variables, such that also for random sets it is true that absolute continuity implies continuity. Significant examples and counter examples are presented to illustrate the role of our definition in concrete cases. The relationship between our definition and others in well-accepted literature is shown.