Reply to "Comment on 'Detecting Non-Abelian Geometric Phases with Three-Level \Lambda\ Atoms' "

TL;DR

This paper defends the non-Abelian geometric phase detection in three-level systems against critiques, clarifying that zero gauge field does not imply trivial phases and reaffirming experimental detectability.

Contribution

It clarifies misconceptions about gauge fields and confirms the experimental feasibility of detecting non-Abelian geometric phases in three-level systems.

Findings

Zero gauge field does not imply trivial geometric phase.

Non-Abelian geometric phase is experimentally detectable.

Recalculation supports original claims.

Abstract

In this reply, we address the comment by Ericsson and Sjoqvist on our paper [Phys. Rev. A {\bf 84}, 034103 (2011)]. We point out that the zero gauge field is not the evidence of trivial geometric phase for a non-Abelian SU(2) gauge field. Furthermore, the recalculation shows that the non-Abelian geometric phase we proposed in the three-level $\Lambda$ system is indeed experimentally detectable.