Anisotropic Cherenkov light generation by intense ultrashort light pulses in glass

Summary form only given. Progress in high power ultrashort pulse lasers has opened new frontiers in physics and technology of light-matter interactions. Recent discoveries span from coherent X-ray generation and nonlinear Thomson scattering to anomalous anisotropic light scattering and direct writing of 3D photonic structures. We report the observation of a new phenomenon-anisotropic ultraviolet generation in the form of anisotropic Cherenkov radiation peaking in the plane of polarization of intense infrared light. The phenomenon is interpreted as a first evidence of anisotropic diffusion of photoelectrons in isotropic condensed matter. It also represents a unique optical phenomenon in which information on light polarization is revealed macroscopically via enhanced light generation that could be used for optical encoding.