  We investigate quantum electrodynamic effects under the influence of an
external, time-dependent electromagnetic field, which mediates dynamic
modifications of the radiative corrections. Specifically, we consider the
quantum electrodynamic vacuum-polarization tensor under the influence of two
external background fields: a strong laser field and a nuclear Coulomb field.
We calculate the charge and current densities induced by a nuclear Coulomb
field in the presence of a laser field. We find the corresponding induced
scalar and vector potentials. The induced potential, in first-order
perturbation theory, leads to a correction to atomic energy levels. The
external laser field breaks the rotational symmetry of the system.
Consequently, the induced charge density is not spherically symmetric, and the
energy correction therefore leads to a "polarized Lamb shift." In particular,
the laser generates an additional potential with a quadrupole moment. The
corresponding laser-dressed vacuum-polarization potential behaves like 1/r**3
at large distances, unlike the Uehling potential that vanishes exponentially
for large r. Our investigation might be useful for other situations where
quantum field theoretic phenomena are subjected to external fields of a rather
involved structure.
