We study the stability of the zero-intensity solution of the semiclassical laser equations when the pump parameter increases linearly in time. Equivalently, we study the stability of the trivial fixed point of the Lorenz equations when the Rayleigh number is increased linearly in time. When the time-dependent parameter varies slowly, the stability domain is greatly increased with respect to the stability domain derived under stationary conditions. This corresponds to a dynamical stabilization of an unstable stationary solution.

• Received 29 May 1984

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.53.1818