  The macroscopic coherent tunneling through the barriers of a periodic
potential is used as an atomoptical filter to separate the condensate and the
thermal components of a $^{87}$Rb mixed cloud. We condense in the combined
potential of a laser standing-wave superimposed on the axis of a cigar-shape
magnetic trap and induce condensate dipole oscillation in the presence of a
static thermal component. The oscillation is damped due to interaction with the
thermal fraction and we investigate the role played by the periodic potential
in the damping process.
