By making use the influence of microwave-r.f. multi-quantum transition on the spectral line intensity of single quantum microwave transition, a new sensitive method for detecting r.f. resonance in optical pumping experiment is found.
The effect of optical pumping on the lineshapes and the peak values of microwave absorption line is calculated by a density matrix method in the Doppler limit approximation. The calculated double resonance signal consists of two terms. One is proportional to the unperturbed population difference of the optical transition and has a Lorentzian lineshape at weak microwave saturation. In this term the two-photon processes cause broadening of the line. The other is proportional to the population difference of the microwave transition and gives the higher-order dynamic Stark effect. At moderate optical saturation the former term is much greater than the latter. At strong optical saturation the latter term becomes noticeable and lineshape anomaly occurs. The peak values of the double resonance signals are also calculated and compared with an experimental result.