Reply to Comment on "Quantum mechanics for non-inertial observers"

TL;DR

This paper defends previous findings that coupling between center of mass and internal degrees of freedom in quantum systems in non-inertial frames depends on external forces, clarifying misconceptions raised in a comment.

Contribution

It provides a detailed clarification and defense of the original results regarding the role of external forces in quantum coupling effects in non-inertial frames.

Findings

External forces are crucial for coupling in non-inertial quantum systems.

The original conclusions remain valid despite criticisms.

Clarification resolves apparent contradictions with gravitational time dilation observations.

Abstract

Our recent paper (arXiv:1701.04298 [quant-ph]) discussed the occurrence of a coupling of centre of mass and internal degrees of freedom for complex quantum systems in non-inertial frames. There, we pointed out that an external force supporting the system against gravity plays a crucial role for the coupling between center of mass position to the internal degrees of freedom. In a comment (arXiv:1702.06670 [quant-ph]) to our paper, Pikovski et al. question our conclusion and present the argument that the lack of the coupling term would be in contradiction with the observation of gravitational time dilation using atomic clocks. Here, we elaborate on our results in reply to their criticism and clarify why our arguments remain valid.