The sensitivity function: a new tool for the evaluation of frequency shifts in atomic spectroscopy

We have proposed to use the sensitivity function to account for frequency shifts in atomic spectroscopy. This method applies to all interrogation schemes and is of particular interest when the atomic evolution cannot be calculated analytically. We have proposed a simple method to experimentally measure the sensitivity function and tested it in the case of a multi-Rabi interrogation (TE/sub 013/ cavity). The results, in good agreement with numerical simulations, give a clear explanation of the frequency shift observed on our frequency standard.