Quantum measures for density correlations in optical lattices

The density-density correlation profiles obtained superimposing absorption images from atomic clouds freely expanding after the release of the confining optical lattice can be theoretically described in terms of a generalized quantum measure based on coherent-like states. We show that the corresponding density patterns differ in a testable way from those computed using standard many-body mean values, usually adopted in fitting experimental data.Comment: LaTeX, 14 page

Motional effects on the efficiency of excitation transfer

Energy transfer plays a vital role in many natural and technological processes. In this work, we study the effects of mechanical motion on the excitation transfer through a chain of interacting molecules with application to biological scenarios of transfer processes. Our investigation demonstrates that, for various types of mechanical oscillations, the transfer efficiency is significantly enhanced over that of comparable static configurations. This enhancement is a genuine quantum signature, and requires the collaborative interplay between the quantum-coherent evolution of the excitation and the mechanical motion of the molecules; it has no analogue in the classical incoherent energy transfer. This effect may not only occur naturally, but it could be exploited in artificially designed systems to optimize transport processes. As an application, we discuss a simple and hence robust control technique.Comment: 25 pages, 11 figures; completely revised; version accepted for publicatio

Living-floors and Structures from the Lower Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age in Italy

Summary report of the research carried out on the Living floors of the Palaeolithic to Neolithic periods in many prehistoric sites of northern Ital

Higland occupation in the southern Alps during the Early Holocene

Highland occupation by post-glacial hunter-gatherers represents a widespread cultural phenomenon all over Europe. Research begun in the seventies in the southern Alps has revealed the presence of hundreds of sites. In this paper the problems of highland occupation is addressed from a spatially focussed perspective in order to understand the specific use of sites and of their broader catchment territories. The works proceeds from the analysis of two pilot sites situated at the opposite sides of the southern Alps: Mondeval de Sora, in the eastern Dolomites, and Alpe Veglia, in the Lepontine Alps

Variability of lithic resource exploitation systems in northern Italy during the early Holocene: the case-studies of Mondeval de Sora (Belluno) and I.N.F.S. (Bologna).

The paper represents an attempt to identify lithic reduction sequences adopted by Sauveterrian Mesolithic groups of northern Italy. Two sites, from different environments, have been investigated: Mondeval de Sora, Site I, situated in the Dolomite region (south-eastern Alps), at an altitude of 2150m, and I.N.F.S. (Bologna) located in the Po plain area, close to the northern Apennine margin. Though the two analysed assemblages share the same basic volumetric concepts, they are also characterised by specific features in terms of exploitation strategies which appear, at least in part, strictly dependent on local raw material availability. The adoption of differentiated responses to specific environments thus reflects the high adaptation capacities of the last group of European hunter-gatherers, resulting as one of their most distinctive features, as also evidenced by other approaches to the study of early Holocene contexts