A direct comparison of the ionic levels observed in multiphoton-induced Xe(L) emission from Xe clusters with corresponding charge states experimentally produced with EBIT excitation confirms two new fundamental properties of the multiphoton interaction. They are (1) the dominant role of a coherent multi-electron mechanism in the excitation of the atoms in the cluster and (2) the collaterally imperative presence of channels of ionization involving multi-electron inner-shell ejection. Both characteristics arise because the coherent multi-electron motion induced by the external field simulates the behaviour of a light particle carrying a heavy charge, thereby transforming the fundamental coupling strength for the interaction of electrons with matter from the customary factor alpha ( approximately 1/137) to the strongly enhanced value Z² alpha . The estimated number (Z) of electrons participating in the coherent multi-electron amplitude for excitation of the Xe(L) radiation (2-3 AA) is estimated to be Z approximately=26. Since Z²>10² can be practically attained for the majority of atoms, important general consequences follow for the production of new forms of highly energetic non-equilibrium states of matter.