Photocrystallization of amorphous selenium(a-Se) films under illumination by polarized light with 632.8 or 647.1 nm wavelength has been studied by Raman spectroscopy. Preferential orientation of trigonal crystalline, selenium(t-Se) obtained as a result of photocrystallization has been observed, threefoldcaxis oft-Se being oriented perpendicular to the direction of the polarization of the illuminating light. Although the mechanism of polarization-dependent photocrystallization seems to be optical in origin, an alternative, essentially thermal, mechanism of the polarization-dependent photocrystallization ofa-Se is discussed. ©1998 American Institute of Physics.