Eigenmode analysis for the radiating stationary state of N two-level atoms in a slab geometry near threshold

We explore steady states of an open, no end-mirrors, low-Q cw laser pumped above the threshold for laser oscillations. We find that the spatial field profile of the steady state just above the threshold is the same as that of the eigenmode that dominates superradiance in the late linear regime from an initially inverted state without continued pumping. The threshold pumping rate and emission frequency are related to the real and imaginary parts of the eigenvalue of this dominant mode.