Multiphoton spectroscopy in heavy elements

Some recently discovered regularities in the spectra of heavy elements which are also applicable to the analysis of the spectra of lighter atoms are described. Stepwise resonant multiphoton methods are irreplaceable tools in the study of high lying states in a complex atomic system. Systematic applications of these methods have permitted regularities to be observed which also hold for the lighter elements. It is noted that greatly increased understanding of the excited state structure of heavy atoms is not possible.