Significance of higher-order multiple scattering for laser beam propagation through hazes, fogs, and clouds

Abstract

An approach is outlined for computing the different orders of scattering in any medium that possesses a phase function with a strong forward peak. Computations are done for the case of a Gaussian laser beam incident on such a medium. The formulation adopted does reproduce the natural divergence of general Gaussian beams without the need to assume the presence of point sources or the need to assume perfectly collimated beams within the region of interest. Results are discussed for the case of water cloud particles with a strongly forward-peaked phase function for the incident laser radiation.