Exploring neutrino parameters with a beta-beam experiment from FNAL to DUSEL

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the potential of a beta-beam experiment from FNAL to DUSEL to measure neutrino oscillation parameters, comparing different detector options and beam configurations to enhance sensitivity to theta_13, CP violation, and mass hierarchy.

Contribution

It proposes a novel beta-beam setup from FNAL to DUSEL with specific ion sources and detector choices, analyzing its advantages over conventional superbeam experiments.

Findings

Enhanced sensitivity to neutrino oscillation parameters using beta-beam setup.

Ability to probe both first and second oscillation maxima.

Comparison shows potential improvements over traditional superbeam experiments.

Abstract

We discuss in detail the physics reach of an experimental set-up where electron neutrinos (anti-neutrinos) produced in a beta-beam facility at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL) are sent, over a distance of L~1300km, to the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL). A 300kt Water Cherenkov (WC) detector and a 50kt Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) are considered as possible detector choices. We propose to use 18Ne and 6He as source ions for electron neutrino and electron anti-neutrino beams, respectively. The maximum Lorentz boost factor, gamma, available for these ions using the Tevatron are gamma_Ne=585 and gamma_He=350. This particular set-up provides the opportunity to probe the first oscillation maximum using the neutrino beam and the second oscillation maximum using the anti-neutrino beam which helps to evade some parameter degeneracies. The resulting physics sensitivities for theta_13, CP violation and the mass hierarchy are compared to those of a conventional superbeam from FNAL to DUSEL.