Statistical Estimates of Lidar Signals Reflected from the Ocean Bottom

The Monte Carlo method is used to solve the nonstationary equation of laser sensing of an optically dense, complex, multicomponent aqueous medium with allowance for the water–air interface, the contribution of multiple scattering of radiation by the water column, and reflection of the signal from the bottom. As a result, we have obtained dependences of the return signal of a monostatic lidar from the water column and the surface microwaves for various field-of-view angles of the receiver. The results of our calculations show that a lidar detection depth of the bottom up to 50 m is achievable for water optical thicknesses up to 3.5–4. When sensing the bottom up to the limiting depth of 50 m under conditions of very transparent water and Fresnel reflection from its surface, the dynamic range of the signal from the water column reaches 7–9 orders of magnitude.