Reply to Comment on "Quantum inversion of cold atoms in a microcavity: spatial dependence"

The question raised by [Bastin and Martin 2003 J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 36, 4201] is examined and used to explain in more detail a key point of our calculations. They have sought to rebut criticisms raised by us of certain techniques used in the calculation of the off-resonance case. It is also explained why this result is not a problem for the off-resonance case, but, on the contrary, opens the door to a general situation. Their comment is based on a blatant misunderstanding of our proposal and as such is simply wrong.