Polarization chaos in a vector nonautonomous class-A laser

We investigate the dynamics of a vector (weakly anisotropic) class-A laser subjected to the modulation of the resonator anisotropy directions. We repo rt on polarization symmetry breaking and, to our knowledge, this is the fir st explicit example of chaos affecting amplitude and polarization parameter s of the field emitted by a laser in which material dynamics is not essenti al. The physical mechanism of the chaotic behaviour is discussed.