PRACTICAL MODEL FOR THE CALCULATION OF MULTIPLY SCATTERED LIDAR RETURNS

An equation to predict the intensity of the multiply scattered lidar r eturn is presented. Both the scattering cross section and the scatteri ng phase function can be specified as a function of range. This equati on applies when the cloud particles are larger than the lidar waveleng th. This approximation considers photon trajectories with multiple sma ll-angle forward-scattering events and one large-angle scattering that directs the photon back toward the receiver. Comparisons with Monte C arlo simulations, exact double-scatter calculations, and Lidar data de monstrate that this model provides accurate results. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America.