Nonlinear and parametric effects in atomic rf spectroscopy

Nonlinear phenomena occurring during interaction between an atom and a strong rf field of resonant or nonresonant frequency are reviewed. The account is given in both semiclassical and consistently quantummechanical languages. The concept of an atom “dressed by the radiation field” in which not only the optical-frequency field but also the radio-frequency field is quantized is presented in detail. The results are summarized of theoretical and experimental studies of multiphoton transitions, radiative shifts of normal magnetic resonance lines, parametric resonance, and coherent resonances under the conditions of optical pumping. The influence of nonresonance rf fields on magnetic properties and the rate of magnetic relaxation of atoms is discussed.