AlP O4 -11 (AEL) single crystal provides well-aligned one-dimensional elliptical nanochannels, wherein neutral iodine molecules can be trapped and aligned. Since the iodine molecules are well accommodated in the matrix of the AEL single crystal, it offers us a good example for studying polarized Raman spectra in a controllable way. Polarization dependence of Raman intensity of the iodine molecular vibration modes indicates that the iodine molecules are strictly oriented in two directions, either along the long axis of the elliptical channel or along the AEL channel direction. © 2008 American Institute of Physics.