Monte Carlo simulation of polarized lidar returns for atmospheric clouds sensing

The paper deals with Monte Carlo simulation of polarized radiative transfer and lidar returns in sensing of atmospheric clouds. The Stokes parameters were used to describe the transfer of polarized radiation, and computation of the lidar returns was based on flux-at-point estimators. We consider modifications of the numerical algorithm with scattering according to the phase function for unpolarized light and with scattering depending on polarization. Numerical experiments were performed for lidar sensing of waterdrop clouds.