Physics Potential of the SPL Super Beam

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the physics potential of a CERN SPL super beam for neutrino experiments, showing promising sensitivity to neutrino oscillation parameters with a large water Cherenkov detector.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of the neutrino beam performance and sensitivity estimates for the SPL super beam with a large detector at 130 km.

Findings

Sensitivity to θ13 down to 1.2°

Comparable δ sensitivity to Neutrino Factory for θ13 ≥ 3°

Potential to explore neutrino oscillation parameters

Abstract

Performances of a neutrino beam generated by the CERN SPL proton driver are computed considering a 440 kton water Cerenkov detector at 130 km from the target. $\theta_{13}$ sensitivity down to $1.2^\circ$ and a $\delta$ sensitivity comparable to a Neutrino Factory, for $\theta_{13} \geq 3^\circ$, are within the reach of such a project.