Showing papers by "Alcatel-Lucent published in 2002"

High-rate codes that are linear in space and time

Abstract: Multiple-antenna systems that operate at high rates require simple yet effective space-time transmission schemes to handle the large traffic volume in real time. At rates of tens of bits per second per hertz, Vertical Bell Labs Layered Space-Time (V-BLAST), where every antenna transmits its own independent substream of data, has been shown to have good performance and simple encoding and decoding. Yet V-BLAST suffers from its inability to work with fewer receive antennas than transmit antennas-this deficiency is especially important for modern cellular systems, where a base station typically has more antennas than the mobile handsets. Furthermore, because V-BLAST transmits independent data streams on its antennas there is no built-in spatial coding to guard against deep fades from any given transmit antenna. On the other hand, there are many previously proposed space-time codes that have good fading resistance and simple decoding, but these codes generally have poor performance at high data rates or with many antennas. We propose a high-rate coding scheme that can handle any configuration of transmit and receive antennas and that subsumes both V-BLAST and many proposed space-time block codes as special cases. The scheme transmits substreams of data in linear combinations over space and time. The codes are designed to optimize the mutual information between the transmitted and received signals. Because of their linear structure, the codes retain the decoding simplicity of V-BLAST, and because of their information-theoretic optimality, they possess many coding advantages. We give examples of the codes and show that their performance is generally superior to earlier proposed methods over a wide range of rates and signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs).

Venti: A New Approach to Archival Storage

Abstract: This paper describes a network storage system, called Venti, intended for archival data In this system, a unique hash of a block's contents acts as the block identifier for read and write operations This approach enforces a write-once policy, preventing accidental or malicious destruction of data In addition, duplicate copies of a block can be coalesced, reducing the consumption of storage and simplifying the implementation of clients Venti is a building block for constructing a variety of storage applications such as logical backup, physical backup, and snapshot file systems We have built a prototype of the system and present some preliminary performance results The system uses magnetic disks as the storage technology, resulting in an access time for archival data that is comparable to non-archival data The feasibility of the write-once model for storage is demonstrated using data from over a decade's use of two Plan 9 file systems

Temporal structure in neuronal activity during working memory in macaque parietal cortex

Abstract: Many cortical structures have elevated firing rates during working memory, but it is not known how the activity is maintained. To investigate whether reverberating activity is important, we studied the temporal structure of local field potential (LFP) activity and spiking from area LIP in two awake macaques during a memory-saccade task. Using spectral analysis, we found spatially tuned elevated power in the gamma band (25-90 Hz) in LFP and spiking activity during the memory period. Spiking and LFP activity were also coherent in the gamma band but not at lower frequencies. Finally, we decoded LFP activity on a single-trial basis and found that LFP activity in parietal cortex discriminated between preferred and anti-preferred direction with approximately the same accuracy as the spike rate and predicted the time of a planned movement with better accuracy than the spike rate. This finding could accelerate the development of a cortical neural prosthesis.

An ultra-sparse code underlies the generation of neural sequences in a songbird.

Abstract: Sequences of motor activity are encoded in many vertebrate brains by complex spatio-temporal patterns of neural activity; however, the neural circuit mechanisms underlying the generation of these pre-motor patterns are poorly understood. In songbirds, one prominent site of pre-motor activity is the forebrain robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA), which generates stereotyped sequences of spike bursts during song and recapitulates these sequences during sleep. We show that the stereotyped sequences in RA are driven from nucleus HVC (high vocal centre), the principal pre-motor input to RA. Recordings of identified HVC neurons in sleeping and singing birds show that individual HVC neurons projecting onto RA neurons produce bursts sparsely, at a single, precise time during the RA sequence. These HVC neurons burst sequentially with respect to one another. We suggest that at each time in the RA sequence, the ensemble of active RA neurons is driven by a subpopulation of RA-projecting HVC neurons that is active only at that time. As a population, these HVC neurons may form an explicit representation of time in the sequence. Such a sparse representation, a temporal analogue of the 'grandmother cell' concept for object recognition, eliminates the problem of temporal interference during sequence generation and learning attributed to more distributed representations.

Artificial charge-modulationin atomic-scale perovskite titanate superlattices

Abstract: The nature and length scales of charge screening in complex oxides are fundamental to a wide range of systems, spanning ceramic voltage-dependent resistors (varistors), oxide tunnel junctions and charge ordering in mixed-valence compounds. There are wide variations in the degree of charge disproportionation, length scale, and orientation in the mixed-valence compounds: these have been the subject of intense theoretical study, but little is known about the microscopic electronic structure. Here we have fabricated an idealized structure to examine these issues by growing atomically abrupt layers of LaTi(3+)O(3) embedded in SrTi(4+)O(3). Using an atomic-scale electron beam, we have observed the spatial distribution of the extra electron on the titanium sites. This distribution results in metallic conductivity, even though the superlattice structure is based on two insulators. Despite the chemical abruptness of the interfaces, we find that a minimum thickness of five LaTiO(3) layers is required for the centre titanium site to recover bulk-like electronic properties. This represents a framework within which the short-length-scale electronic response can be probed and incorporated in thin-film oxide heterostructures.

HAWAII: a domain-based approach for supporting mobility in wide-area wireless networks

Abstract: Mobile IP is the current standard for supporting macromobility of mobile hosts. However, in the case of micromobility support, there are several competing proposals. We present the design, implementation and performance evaluation of HAWAII (handoff-aware wireless access Internet infrastructure), a domain-based approach for supporting mobility. HAWAII uses specialized path setup schemes which install host-based forwarding entries in specific routers to support intra-domain micromobility. These path setup schemes deliver excellent performance by reducing mobility related disruption to user applications. Also, mobile hosts retain their network address while moving within the domain, simplifying quality-of-service (QoS) support. Furthermore, reliability is achieved through maintaining soft-state forwarding entries for the mobile hosts and leveraging fault detection mechanisms built in existing intra-domain routing protocols. HAWAII defaults to using Mobile IP for macromobility, thus providing a comprehensive solution for mobility support in wide-area wireless networks.

Broadband Modulation of Light by Using an Electro-Optic Polymer

Abstract: A major challenge to increasing bandwidth in optical telecommunications is to encode electronic signals onto a lightwave carrier by modulating the light up to very fast rates Polymer electro-optic materials have the necessary properties to function in photonic devices beyond the 40-GHz bandwidth currently available An appropriate choice of polymers is shown to effectively eliminate the factors contributing to an optical modulator's decay in the high-frequency response The resulting device modulates light with a bandwidth of 150 to 200 GHz and produces detectable modulation signal at 16 THz These rates are faster than anticipated bandwidth requirements for the foreseeable future

Thermal properties of carbon nanotubes and nanotube-based materials

Abstract: The thermal properties of carbon nanotubes are directly related to their unique structure and small size. Because of these properties, nanotubes may prove to be an ideal material for the study of low-dimensional phonon physics, and for thermal management, both on the macro- and the micro-scale. We have begun to explore the thermal properties of nanotubes by measuring the specific heat and thermal conductivity of bulk SWNT samples. In addition, we have synthesized nanotube-based composite materials and measured their thermal conductivity. The measured specific heat of single-walled nanotubes differs from that of both 2D graphene and 3D graphite, especially at low temperatures, where 1D quantization of the phonon bandstructure is observed. The measured specific heat shows only weak effects of intertube coupling in nanotube bundling, suggesting that this coupling is weaker than expected. The thermal conductivity of nanotubes is large, even in bulk samples: aligned bundles of SWNTs show a thermal conductivity of >200 W/m K at room temperature. A linear K(T) up to approximately 40 K may be due to 1D quantization; measurement of K(T) of samples with different average nanotube diameters supports this interpretation. Nanotube–epoxy blends show significantly enhanced thermal conductivity, showing that nanotube-based composites may be useful not only for their potentially high strength, but also for their potentially high thermal conductivity.

An improved PNLMS algorithm

Abstract: Recently, the proportionate normalized least mean square (PNLMS) algorithm was developed for use in network echo cancelers. In comparison to the normalized least mean square (NLMS) algorithm, PNLMS has very fast initial convergence and tracking when the echo path is sparse. Unfortunately, when the impulse response is dispersive, the PNLMS converges much slower than NLMS. This implies that the rule proposed in PNLMS is far from optimal. In many simulations, it seems that we fully benefit from PNLMS only when the impulse response is close to a delta function. In this paper, we propose a new rule that is more reliable than the one used in PNLMS. Many simulations show that the new algorithm (improved PNLMS) performs better than NLMS and PNLMS, whatever the nature of the impulse response is.

Quantum probabilities as Bayesian probabilities

Abstract: In the Bayesian approach to probability theory, probability quantifies a degree of belief for a single trial, without any a priori connection to limiting frequencies. In this paper, we show that, despite being prescribed by a fundamental law, probabilities for individual quantum systems can be understood within the Bayesian approach. We argue that the distinction between classical and quantum probabilities lies not in their definition, but in the nature of the information they encode. In the classical world, maximal information about a physical system is complete in the sense of providing definite answers for all possible questions that can be asked of the system. In the quantum world, maximal information is not complete and cannot be completed. Using this distinction, we show that any Bayesian probability assignment in quantum mechanics must have the form of the quantum probability rule, that maximal information about a quantum system leads to a unique quantum-state assignment, and that quantum theory provides a stronger connection between probability and measured frequency than can be justified classically. Finally, we give a Bayesian formulation of quantum-state tomography.

Proportional differentiated services: delay differentiation and packet scheduling

Abstract: The proportional differentiation model provides the network operator with the 'tuning knobs' for adjusting the per-hop quality-of-service (QoS) ratios between classes, independent of the class loads. This paper applies the proportional model in the differentiation of queueing delays, and investigates appropriate packet scheduling mechanisms. Starting from the proportional delay differentiation (PDD) model, we derive the average queueing delay in each class, show the dynamics of the class delays under the PDD constraints, and state the conditions in which the PDD model is feasible. The feasibility model of the model can be determined from the average delays that result with the strict priorities scheduler. We then focus on scheduling mechanisms that can implement the PDD model, when it is feasible to do so. The proportional average delay (PAD) scheduler meets the PDD constraints, when they are feasible, but it exhibits a pathological behavior in short timescales. The waiting time priority (WTP) scheduler, on the other hand, approximates the PDD model closely, even in the short timescales of a few packet departures, but only in heavy load conditions. PAD and WTP serve as motivation for the third scheduler, called hybrid proportional delay (HPD). HPD approximates the PDD model closely, when the model is feasible, independent of the class load distribution. Also, HPD provides predictable delay differentiation even in short timescales.

Factors Involved in the Formation of Amorphous and Crystalline Calcium Carbonate: A Study of an Ascidian Skeleton

Abstract: The majority of invertebrate skeletal tissues are composed of the most stable crystalline polymorphs of CaCO3, calcite, and/or aragonite. Here we describe a composite skeletal tissue from an ascidian in which amorphous and crystalline calcium carbonate coexist in well-defined domains separated by an organic sheath. Each biogenic mineral phase has a characteristic Mg content (5.9 and 1.7 mol %, respectively) and concentration of intramineral proteins (0.05 and 0.01 wt %, respectively). Macromolecular extracts from various biogenic amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) skeletons are typically glycoproteins, rich in glutamic acid and hydroxyamino acids. The proteins from the crystalline calcitic phases are aspartate-rich. Macromolecules extracted from biogenic ACC induced the formation of stabilized ACC and/or inhibited crystallization of calcite in vitro. The yield of the synthetic ACC was 15−20%. The presence of Mg facilitated the stabilization of ACC: the protein content in synthetic ACC was 0.12 wt % in the...

Tunable liquid microlens

Abstract: A tunable liquid microlens includes an insulating layer, a droplet of a transparent conducting liquid disposed on a first surface of the insulating layer and a plurality of electrodes insulated from the droplet by the insulating layer. The plurality of electrodes are disposed such that they may be selectively biased to create a respective voltage potential between the droplet and each of the plurality of electrodes, whereby a contact angle between the droplet and the first surface is variable and the droplet may be repositioned along the first surface.

Additive, nanoscale patterning of metal films with a stamp and a surface chemistry mediated transfer process: Applications in plastic electronics

Abstract: We describe a method for contact printing metal patterns with nanometer features over large areas. This nanotransfer printing (nTP) technique relies on tailored surface chemistries to transfer metal films from the raised regions of a stamp to a substrate when these two elements are brought into intimate physical contact. The printing is purely additive, fast (<15 s contact time), and it occurs in a single processing step at ambient conditions. Features of varying dimensions, including sizes down to ∼100 nm, can be printed with edge resolution better than 15 nm. Electrical contacts and interconnects for high-performance organic transistors and complementary inverter circuits have been successfully fabricated using nTP.

Interfacial Chemistries for Nanoscale Transfer Printing

Abstract: We describe a patterning technique that uses self-assembled monolayers and other surface chemistries for guiding the transfer of material from relief features on a stamp to a substrate. This purely additive contact printing technique is capable of nanometer resolution. Pattern transfer is fast and it occurs at ambient conditions. We illustrate the versatility of this method by printing single-layer metal patterns with feature sizes from a few tens of microns to a few tens of nanometers. We also demonstrate its use for patterning, in a single step, metal/dielectric/metal multilayers for functional thin film capacitors on plastic substrates.

Method for organizing records of database search activity by topical relevance

Abstract: A method for organizing records of a database by topical relevance generates statistics on relevance by monitoring search terms used and search paths traversed by a database user community. Records reviewed most often in relation to a given search term are assumed to be most relevant to that search term in the eyes of members of the user community. Additionally, a record reviewed in relation to a plurality of search terms is determined to be related by topical relevance to other records reviewed in relation to that plurality of search terms. Again, a probability is calculated, based on a frequency of record review and search terms used, as a measure of this record topical relevance. An embodiment directed toward Internet searches provides for seeding the probability calculations with information from labeled data available from open source Internet directories. The activities of the user community are monitored, for example, at a proxy server, or by reviewing proxy server logs. Other monitoring points are contemplated.

Call admission control schemes and performance analysis in wireless mobile networks

Abstract: Call admission control (CAC) plays a significant role in providing the desired quality of service in wireless networks. Many CAC schemes have been proposed. Analytical results for some performance metrics such as call blocking probabilities are obtained under some specific assumptions. It is observed, however, that due to the mobility, some assumptions may not be valid, which is the case when the average values of channel holding times for new calls and handoff calls are not equal. We reexamine some of the analytical results for call blocking probabilities for some call admission control schemes under more general assumptions and provide some easier-to-compute approximate formulas.

Atomic-scale imaging of individual dopant atoms and clusters in highly n -type bulk Si

Abstract: As silicon-based transistors in integrated circuits grow smaller, the concentration of charge carriers generated by the introduction of impurity dopant atoms must steadily increase. Current technology, however, is rapidly approaching the limit at which introducing additional dopant atoms ceases to generate additional charge carriers because the dopants form electrically inactive clusters1. Using annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy, we report the direct, atomic-resolution observation of individual antimony (Sb) dopant atoms in crystalline Si, and identify the Sb clusters responsible for the saturation of charge carriers. The size, structure, and distribution of these clusters are determined with a Sb-atom detection efficiency of almost 100%. Although single heavy atoms on surfaces or supporting films have been visualized previously2,3,4, our technique permits the imaging of individual dopants and clusters as they exist within actual devices.

Supercontinuum generation in air–silica microstructured fibers with nanosecond and femtosecond pulse pumping

Abstract: We study the generation of supercontinua in air–silica microstructured fibers by both nanosecond and femtosecond pulse excitation. In the nanosecond experiments, a 300-nm broadband visible continuum was generated in a 1.8-m length of fiber pumped at 532 nm by 0.8-ns pulses from a frequency-doubled passively Q-switched Nd:YAG microchip laser. At this wavelength, the dominant mode excited under the conditions of continuum generation is the LP11 mode, and, with nanosecond pumping, self-phase modulation is negligible and the continuum generation is dominated by the interplay of Raman and parametric effects. The spectral extent of the continuum is well explained by calculations of the parametric gain curves for four-wave mixing about the zero-dispersion wavelength of the LP11 mode. In the femtosecond experiments, an 800-nm broadband visible and near-infrared continuum has been generated in a 1-m length of fiber pumped at 780 nm by 100-fs pulses from a Kerr-lens model-locked Ti:sapphire laser. At this wavelength, excitation and continuum generation occur in the LP01 mode, and the spectral width of the observed continuum is shown to be consistent with the phase-matching bandwidth for parametric processes calculated for this fiber mode. In addition, numerical simulations based on an extended nonlinear Schrodinger equation were used to model supercontinuum generation in the femtosecond regime, with the simulation results reproducing the major features of the experimentally observed spectrum.

Toward a Precise Measurement of Matter Clustering: Lyα Forest Data at Redshifts 2-4

Abstract: We measure the filling factor, correlation function, and power spectrum of transmitted flux in a large sample of Lyα forest spectra, comprised of 30 Keck HIRES spectra and 23 Keck LRIS spectra. We infer the linear matter power spectrum P(k) from the flux power spectrum PF(k), using an improved version of the method of Croft et al. that accounts for the influence of redshift-space distortions, nonlinearity, and thermal broadening on the shape of PF(k). The evolution of the shape and amplitude of P(k) over the redshift range of the sample (z ≈ 2-4) is consistent with the predictions of gravitational instability, implying that nongravitational fluctuations do not make a large contribution to structure in the Lyα forest. Our fiducial measurement of P(k) comes from a subset of the data with 2.3 < z < 2.9, mean absorption redshift z = 2.72, and total path length Δz ≈ 25. It has a dimensionless amplitude Δ2(kp) = 0.74 at wavenumber kp = 0.03 (km s-1)-1 and is well described by a power law of index ν = -2.43 ± 0.06 or by a CDM-like power spectrum with shape parameter Γ' = 1.3 × 10-3 (km s-1)-1 at z = 2.72 (all error bars 1 σ). The correspondence to present-day P(k) parameters depends on the adopted cosmology. For Ωm = 0.4, ΩΛ = 0.6, the best-fit shape parameter is Γ = 0.16 h Mpc-1, in good agreement with measurements from the 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey, and the best-fit normalization is σ8 = 0.82(Γ/0.15)-0.44. Matching the observed cluster mass function and our measured Δ2(kp) in spatially flat cosmological models requires Ωm = 0.38 + 2.2(Γ - 0.15). Matching Δ2(kp) in COBE-normalized, flat CDM models with no tensor fluctuations requires Ωm = (0.29 ± 0.04)n-2.89 h, and models that satisfy this constraint are also consistent with our measured logarithmic slope. The Lyα forest complements other observational probes of the linear matter power spectrum by constraining a regime of redshift and length scale not accessible by other means, and the consistency of these inferred parameters with independent estimates provides further support for a cosmological model based on inflation, cold dark matter, and vacuum energy.

Efficient filtering of XML documents with XPath expressions

Abstract: We propose a novel index structure, termed XTrie, that supports the efficient filtering of XML documents based on XPath expressions. Our XTrie index structure offers several novel features that make it especially attractive for large scale publish/subscribe systems. First, XTrie is designed to support effective filtering based on complex XPath expressions (as opposed to simple, single-path specifications). Second, our XTrie structure and algorithms are designed to support both ordered and unordered matching of XML data. Third, by indexing on sequences of element names organized in a trie structure and using a sophisticated matching algorithm, XTrie is able to both reduce the number of unnecessary index probes as well as avoid redundant matchings, thereby providing extremely efficient filtering. Our experimental results over a wide range of XML document and XPath expression workloads demonstrate that our XTrie index structure outperforms earlier approaches by wide margins.

Password hardening based on keystroke dynamics

Abstract: We present a novel approach to improving the security of passwords. In our approach, the legitimate user’s typing patterns (e.g., durations of keystrokes and latencies between keystrokes) are combined with the user’s password to generate a hardened password that is convincingly more secure than conventional passwords alone. In addition, our scheme automatically adapts to gradual changes in a user’s typing patterns while maintaining the same hardened password across multiple logins, for use in file encryption or other applications requiring a long-term secret key. Using empirical data and a prototype implementation of our scheme, we give evidence that our approach is viable in practice, in terms of ease of use, improved security, and performance.

System and method for tracking utilization data for an electronic device

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for tracking utilization data for an electronic device, the electronic device having a non-volatile data storage component associated therewith for retaining the utilization data. In an embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: a) after passage of a utilization interval, reading a first utilization data value for the electronic device stored in the non-volatile data storage component; b) incrementing said read value; and c) storing said incremented value into the non-volatile data storage component. In an embodiment, the electronic device is a circuit card operating in a communication switch, and the utilization data value is a time value indicating cumulative time of operation of the circuit card in the communication switch.

Polarization-Mode Dispersion

Abstract: Publisher Summary Polarization mode dispersion (PMD) is a linear effect that can be compensated in principle. In an ideal circularly symmetric fiber, the two orthogonally polarized modes have the same group delay. However, in reality, fibers exhibit a certain amount of birefringence because of imperfections in the manufacturing process or mechanical stress on the fiber after manufacture. It is noted that fluctuations in the polarization mode and fiber birefringence produced by the environment lead to dispersion that varies statistically with time and frequency. PMD causes different delays for different polarizations and when the difference in the delays approaches a significant fraction of the bit period, it leads to pulse distortion and system penalties. Environmental changes— including temperature and stress—cause the fiber PMD to vary stochastically in time. PMD, illustrating the basic concepts, the measurement techniques, the PMD measurement, the PMD statistics for first- and higher orders, the PMD simulation and emulation, the system impairments, and the mitigation methods has been summarized in the chapter. Both the optical and the electrical PMD compensations are considered.

Large Synoptic Survey Telescope: Overview

Abstract: A large wide-field telescope and camera with optical throughput over 200 m2 deg2 -- a factor of 50 beyond what we currently have -- would enable the detection of faint moving or bursting optical objects: from Earth threatening asteroids to energetic events at the edge of the optical universe. An optimized design for LSST is a 8.4 m telescope with a 3 degree field of view and an optical throughput of 260 m2 deg2. With its large throughput and dedicated all-sky monitoring mode, the LSST will reach 24th magnitude in a single 10 second exposure, opening unexplored regions of astronomical parameter space. The heart of the 2.3 Gpixel camera will be an array of imager modules with 10 μm pixels. Once each month LSST will survey up to 14,000 deg2 of the sky with many ~10 second exposures. Over time LSST will survey 30,000 deg2 deeply in multiple bandpasses, enabling innovative investigations ranging from galactic structure to cosmology. This is a shift in paradigm for optical astronomy: from "survey follow-up" to "survey direct science." The resulting real-time data products and fifteen petabyte time-tagged imaging database and photometric catalog will provide a unique resource. A collaboration of ~80 engineers and scientists are gearing up to confront this exciting challenge.

Quantum cascade lasers: ultrahigh-speed operation, optical wireless communication, narrow linewidth, and far-infrared emission

Abstract: Following an introduction to the history of the invention of the quantum cascade (QC) laser and of the band-structure engineering advances that have led to laser action over most of the mid-infrared (IR) and part of the far-IR spectrum, the paper provides a comprehensive review of recent developments that will likely enable important advances in areas such as optical communications, ultrahigh resolution spectroscopy and applications to ultrahigh sensitivity gas-sensing systems We discuss the experimental observation of the remarkably different frequency response of QC lasers compared to diode lasers, ie, the absence of relaxation oscillations, their high-speed digital modulation, and results on mid-IR optical wireless communication links, which demonstrate the possibility of reliably transmitting complex multimedia data streams Ultrashort pulse generation by gain switching and active and passive modelocking is subsequently discussed Recent data on the linewidth of free-running QC lasers (/spl sim/150 kHz) and their frequency stabilization down to 10 kHz are presented Experiments on the relative frequency stability (/spl sim/5 Hz) of two QC lasers locked to optical cavities are discussed Finally, developments in metallic waveguides with surface plasmon modes, which have enabled extension of the operating wavelength to the far IR are reported

Conductance of small molecular junctions.

Abstract: A new method of fabricating small metal-molecule-metal junctions is developed, approaching the single-molecule limit. The conductance of different conjugated molecules in a broad temperature, source-drain, and gate voltage regime is reported. At low temperature, all investigated molecules display sharp conductance steps periodic in source-drain voltage. The position of these steps can be controlled by a gate potential. The spacing corresponds to the energy of the lowest molecular vibrations. These results show that the low-bias conductance of molecules is dominated by resonant tunneling through coupled electronic and vibration levels.

A Bose-Einstein condensate in an optical lattice

Abstract: We have performed a number of experiments with a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) in a one-dimensional optical lattice. Making use of the small momentum spread of a BEC and standard atom optics techniques, a high level of coherent control over an artificial solid-state system is demonstrated. We are able to load the BEC into the lattice ground state with a very high efficiency by adiabatically turning on the optical lattice. We coherently transfer population between lattice states and observe their evolution. Methods are developed and used to perform band spectroscopy. We use these techniques to build a BEC accelerator and a novel, coherent, large-momentum-transfer beam-splitter.