Is the large uncertainty of $\delta_{CP}$ fundamentally encoded in the neutrino quantum state?

TL;DR

This paper investigates whether the large uncertainty in the neutrino CP-violating phase is due to intrinsic quantum state limitations or measurement constraints, finding that measurement choices significantly impact sensitivity.

Contribution

It applies quantum estimation theory to neutrino oscillations, revealing measurement constraints as the main source of $oldsymbol{ extit{ ext{CP}}}$ uncertainty and suggesting strategies to improve sensitivity.

Findings

Flavor measurement limitations reduce $oldsymbol{ extit{ ext{CP}}}$ sensitivity.

Targeting the second oscillation maximum enhances $oldsymbol{ extit{ ext{CP}}}$ information.

Intrinsic quantum state properties are not the primary source of uncertainty.

Abstract

The precise measurement of the leptonic CP-violating phase $\delta_{CP}$ remains one of the major open challenges in neutrino physics, as current experiments achieve only very limited accuracy. We address this issue through the lens of quantum estimation theory. A distinctive feature of neutrino oscillation experiments is that they cannot freely optimize the probe or measurement, since both are constrained by the production and detection of flavor eigenstates. We therefore examine whether the large uncertainty in $\delta_{CP}$ originates from intrinsic reasons, either of the neutrino quantum state or of flavor measurements, or if it instead stems from experimental limitations. By comparing quantum and classical Fisher information, we demonstrate that the limited sensitivity to $\delta_{CP}$ originates primarily from the information content of flavor measurements. Furthermore, we show that targeting the second oscillation maximum, as in the ESS$\nu$SB proposal, substantially enhances $\delta_{CP}$ information compared to experiments centered on the first maximum.