The present invention relates to a method and system in which multi-coherent resonances of a microwave in which the alkali-metal atoms in the ground state are driven simultaneously by a microwave hyperfine frequency .OMEGA..sub.H and a Zeeman frequency .OMEGA..sub.Z. The driving influences on the atom can include magnetic fields or by optically pumping light modulated by a Zeeman frequency .OMEGA..sub.Z or a microwave hyperfine frequency .OMEGA..sub.H or by combinations of their harmonics or subharmonics. Multi-coherent resonances permit simultaneous measurement or control of the ambient magnetic field and measurement or control of a hyperfine resonance frequency of alkali-metal atoms. In one embodiment, the hyperfine frequency for a controlled magnetic field can serve as an atomic clock frequency.