It was well-known prior to 1960 that single- and even two-photon processes occurred in elements. When lasers grew to prominence and became ever more sophisticated, scientists were able to replicate the conditions and start the multiphoton process. But, even more importantly, they were able to move away from creating this phenomenon only in large elements. With these new sophisticated lasers, they could actually observe the process in atoms for the first time.
During a photon process, a photon is absorbed or emitted. Prior to observing the multiphoton process, only a two-photon process was observed. In the two-photon process, a photon would be absorbed by matter at the same time that one was emitted. This satisfied the laws of conservation of energy and conservation of mass, since the absorption of one was counteracted one-to-one by the emission of the other.
In the multiphoton process, the basic tenants of the photon process still hold true; at least, as far as scientists have been able to ascertain. For every photon emitted, there will simultaneously be a photon absorbed. As far as scientists have been able to observe, no previously-held laws of physics are broken by the multiphoton process. But with new and constantly evolving ideas and theories about what our universe is actually made of, results from the observation of the multiphoton process could provide significant clues to help scientists develop new theories and come to a better understanding of our universe.
Once physicists figure out whether or not the multiphoton process does break old rules of physics, they'll be able to share that information with engineers. If, in fact, this disproves old laws, it would destroy old barriers to exploiting our natural physical environment. The most obvious advances would be in energy production. If it turns out that energy can be created, it would revolutionize the way in which we produce energy. The multiphoton process could provide an important window to how our world works.