Statistical Simulation of Laser Pulse Propagation in Cirrus Clouds Accounting for Multiple Scattering

An original statistical model of laser pulse propagation in a scattering medium is considered. The model makes it possible to calculate the power of a lidar signal taking into account scattering effects of any multiplicity. A comparative analysis of the temporal structure of the signal obtained using the proposed model and alternative methods is carried out. The features of the propagation of a laser pulse from a ground-based lidar in continuous cirrus clouds are studied taking into account effects of multiple scattering. The dependence of the multiple scattering background on the optical and microphysical characteristics (extinction coefficient, degree of roughness, size and shape of ice particles) of the cloud and parameters of the lidar receiving system is studied. The simulation results indicate a high sensitivity of the part of the echo signal due to multiply scattered light to variable parameters, which should be taken into account when setting and solving inverse problems.