Classical and Nonclassical Time Dilation for Quantum Clocks

Abstract

Proper time, ideal clocks, and boosts are well understood classically, but subtleties arise in quantum physics. We show that quantum clocks set in motion via momentum boosts do not witness classical time dilation. However, using velocity boosts we find the ideal behavior in both cases, where the quantum clock and classical observer are set in motion. Without internal state-dependent forces additional effects arise. As such, we derive observed frequency shifts in ion trap atomic clocks, indicating a small additional shift, and also show the emergence of nonideal behavior in a theoretical clock model.