  We apply a Bloch-bands approach to the analysis of pulsed optical standing
wave diffractive elements in optics and interferometry with ultracold atoms. We
verify our method by comparison to a series of experiments with Bose-Einstein
condensates. The approach provides accurate Rabi frequencies for diffraction
pulses and is particularly useful for the analysis and control of diffraction
phases, an important systematic effect in precision atom interferometry.
Utilizing this picture, we also demonstrate a method to determine atomic band
structure in an optical lattice through a measurement of phase shifts in an
atomic contrast interferometer.
