Transition to chaos via gluing bifurcations in optically excited nematic liquid crystals

We study the passage of monochromatic, cw laser light through a cell of homeotropically aligned nematic liquid crystal at a slightly oblique angle, polarized perpendicular to the plane of incidence. Experiments in this geometry have revealed complex, time-dependent dynamics of the director motion. We derive a model for the director dynamics that shows both periodic and chaotic behavior at different light intensities as observed in the experiments. It follows an uncommon route to chaos via, gluing bifurcations which has not yet been observed in any real physical system.