RMmatern
are two alternative parametrizations of the same covariance function.
The Matern model should be preferred as this model seperates the
effects of scaling parameter and the shape parameter. This is the normal scale mixture model of choice if the smoothness of a
random field is to be parametrized: the sample paths of a Gaussian
random field with this covariance structure are $m$ times
differentiable if and only if $\nu > m$ (see Gelfand et
al., 2010, p. 24).
Furthermore, the fractal dimension (see also RFfractaldim)
D of the Gaussian sample paths
is determined by $\nu$: we have
$$D = d + 1 - \nu, \nu \in (0,1)$$
and $D = d$ for $\nu > 1$ where $d$ is
the dimension of the random field (see Stein, 1999, p. 32).
If $\nu=0.5$ the Matern model equals RMexp.
For $\nu$ tending to $\infty$ a rescaled Gaussian
model RMgauss appears as limit of the Matern model.
For generalisations see section seealso.