Anisotropy of the absorption of powerful laser radiation in metals

It is shown that the dependence of the reflection coefficient of absorbing media (metals) on the polarisation of light may give rise to an anisotropy of the absorption of powerful laser radiation in these media. This anisotropy is demonstrated by bending of the laser damage channel. When the polarisation of light is linear, such bending occurs in a plane perpendicular to the plane of polarisation and the direction of bending is governed by an asymmetry of the distribution of the intensity in a cross section of the beam in this plane. The effect is weaker when the polarisation is circular. The position of the bending plane is then governed by the nature of the asymmetry of the distribution of the intensity over the beam cross section.