[en] Mass-resolved multiphoton ionization (MPI) spectroscopy is an established technique for detecting and analyzing van der Waals molecules and larger clusters. MPI spectroscopy provides excellent detection sensitivity, moderately high resolution, and selectivity among cluster species. In addition to information provided by the analysis of photoions following MPI, photoelectron spectroscopy can reveal details regarding the structure of ionic states. Unfortunately, the technique is limited by its tendency to produce extensive fragmentation. Fragmentation is also a problem with other ionization techniques (e.g., electron impact ionization), but the intense laser beams required for MPI cause additional dissociation channels to become available. These channels include absorption of additional photons by parent ions (ion ladder mechanism), absorption of additional photons by fragment ions (ladder switching mechanism), and resonances with dissociative states in the neutral manifold. The existence of these dissociation channels can preclude the use of MPI spectroscopy in many situations. Recently, MPI studies of stable molecules using picosecond lasers (pulse length = 1 - 10 ps) have indicated that limitations due to fragmentation might be subdued. With picosecond lasers, dissociation mechanisms can be altered and in some cases fragmentation can be eliminated or reduced. Additional photon absorption competes effectively with dissociation channels when a very short laser pulse or, perhaps more importantly, a sufficiently high peak-power is used. In the case where ionic absorption and fragmentation occurs, it has been shown that picosecond MPI might favor the ion ladder mechanism rather than the ladder switching mechanism