ON THE CONSISTENCY OF RABI FREQUENCY CALCULATIONS

Three methods of calculating the on-resonance Rabi frequency for an at omic transition are described in detail. These methods are: the use of standard angular momentum coupling formula for state expansion; the a pplication of the reduction formula for composite systems; and the app lication of reduction equations for vector operators from Condon and S hortley. It is shown that ail three methods are equivalent in contrast with previously reported difficulties in obtaining consistency in the phase. Each method is illustrated by calculating the Rabi frequencies for each hyperfine transition in a n(2)S(1/2)-n(Omega)P(3/2) manifold . The importance-of consistency in the ordering of the quantum numbers in matrix elements of operator components is discussed.