Laser-modified electron correlations and deflection of atoms by laser light

The influence of laser-induced two-electron excitation processes on the deflection of atoms by a standing-wave laser field is investigated. In particular, isolated-core excitation processes are studied in which, after preparing one valence electron as an electronic Rydberg wave packet, the core electron is driven resonantly by the standing wave. The dynamics of the two electrons are entangled through laser-induced electron correlation effects. A theoretical approach is developed that clearly exhibits the intricate interplay between these correlation effects and the atomic center-of-mass motion that originates from the stimulated light force. Various examples are analyzed that show the manifestations of this interplay in the diffraction pattern of a deflected atom.