It has long been recognized that the foil-induced dissociation of fast molecular ions is a potentially powerful method to determine the stereochemical structures of the molecular projectiles. We have recently developed a detector system specifically designed for such experiments. The MUPPATS detector is a large-area multistep low pressure gas counter. The requirements of multiparticle detection with good position and time resolution leads to a rather complex data-readout and reduction scheme. The system relies on several state-of-the-art techniques, developed in high-energy physics during recent years, to dramatically reduce the cost of the MUPPATS detector. Preliminary results for several polyatomic molecular ions have already been obtained. Some new avenues of research opened up by this detector are also described.

We assessed particle deposition and loss occurring in two alpha-air monitors: an Eberline Alpha-3 Continuous Air Monitor (CAM) and a working-area transuranic aerosol monitor (WOTAMS). We investigated the dependence of particle size on losses in the sampling inlets and the real-time alpha detector areas for both instruments. We determined the uniformity of particle deposition on the filter to ascertain the effectiveness of the detector and collection-filter configuration. Results indicate that particle losses are a strong function of particle size in the CAM unit, with a 44% loss occurring for 6-..mu..m-diameter aerosols and a 0.3% loss for 0.6-..mu..m-diameter aerosols. Losses in the WOTAMS were less than 1% for particle diameters in the 0.6-to-7 ..mu..m range.

The limits of applicability of the standard model are considered. The theory is described from an experimenter's viewpoint, emphasizing the observables. The present experimental situation is summarized. The aspects of symmetry breaking, radiative corrections, scattering of neutrinos from hadrons, and neutrino-electron scattering are discussed. The discussion is meant to underscore the need for a really precise measurement of the Weinberg angle in the scattering mode. A proposed LAMPF experiment is then described which is meant to combine excellent statistical precision with the potential for low systematic uncertainty in order to make such a measurement. (LEW)