A New Semi-Analytical MC Model for Oceanic LIDAR Inelastic Signals

Abstract

The design and processing algorithm of oceanic LIDAR requires an effective lidar simulator. Currently, most simulation methods for lidar signal propagation in seawater use elastic scattering. In this study, a new semi-analytical Monte Carlo (MC) model for oceanic lidar inelastic signals is developed to investigate chlorophyll fluorescence and Raman scattering in seawater. We also used this model to simulate the echo signal of high spectral resolution lidar (HSRL) in the particulate and water molecular channels. Using this model, the effects of chlorophyll concentration, multiple scattering, receiving field of view (FOV), scattering phase function (SPF), receiver full width at half maximum (FWHM) and inhomogeneous seawater were investigated. The feasibility and effectiveness of the model were verified by the lidar equation under small and large FOVs. The results showed that chlorophyll concentration and vertical structure and multiple scattering have considerable and integrated effects on echo signals, which could provide a reference for the design of oceanic fluorescence and HSRL lidar systems and contribute to the development of processing algorithms.