Coherent control of atom dynamics in an optical lattice

On the basis of a simple exactly solvable model we discuss the possibilities for state preparation and state control of atoms in a periodic optical potential. In addition to the periodic potential a uniform force with an arbitrary time dependence is applied. The method is based on a formal expression for the full evolution operator in the tight-binding limit. This allows us to describe the dynamics in terms of operator algebra, rather than in analytical expansions.