Neutrino oscillation physics at an upgraded CNGS with large next generation liquid Argon TPC detectors

Abstract

The determination of the missing $U_{e3}$ element (magnitude and phase) of the PMNS neutrino mixing matrix is possible via the detection of $\numu\to\nue$ oscillations at a baseline $L$ and energy $E$ given by the atmospheric observations, corresponding to a mass squared difference $E/L\sim \Delta m^2\simeq 2.5\times 10^{-3}e{V}^2$. While the current optimization of the CNGS beam provides limited sensitivity to this reaction, we discuss in this document the physics potential of an intensity upgraded and energy re-optimized CNGS neutrino beam coupled to an off-axis detector. We show that improvements in sensitivity to ${\theta }_{13}$ compared to that of T2K and NoVA are possible with a next generation large liquid Argon TPC detector located at an off-axis position (position rather distant from LNGS, possibly at shallow depth). We also address the possibility to discover CP-violation and disentangle the mass hierarchy via matter effects. The considered intensity enhancement of the CERN SPS has strong synergies with the upgrade/replacement of the elements of its injector chain (Linac, PSB, PS) and the refurbishing of its own elements, envisioned for an optimal and/or upgraded LHC luminosity programme.

37 pages, 20 figures

References in corpus (2)

• Precision physics with a wide band super neutrino beam
• LANNDD - A line of liquid argon TPC detectors scalable in mass from 200 Tons to 100 Ktons

Cited by in corpus (3)

• Large underground, liquid based detectors for astro-particle physics in Europe: scientific case and prospects
• Underground Neutrino Detectors for Particle and Astroparticle Science: the Giant Liquid Argon Charge Imaging ExpeRiment (GLACIER)
• Detectors and flux instrumentation for future neutrino facilities