From parameter space constraints to the precision determination of the leptonic Dirac CP phase

We discuss the precision determination of the leptonic Dirac CP phase $\delta_{CP}$ in neutrino oscillation experiments, where we apply the concept of ``CP coverage''. We demonstrate that this approach carries more information than a conventional CP violation measurement, since it also describes the exclusion of parameter regions. This will be very useful for next-generation long baseline experiments where for sizable $\sin^2 2 \theta_{13}$ first constraints on $\delta_{CP}$ can be obtained. As the most sophisticated experimental setup, we analyze neutrino factories, where we illustrate the major difficulties in their analysis. In addition, we compare their potential to the one of superbeam upgrades and next-generation experiments, which also includes a discussion of synergy effects. We find a strong dependence on the yet unknown true values of $\sin^2 2 \theta_{13}$ and $\delta_{CP}$, as well as a strong, non-Gaussian dependence on the confidence level. A systematic understanding of the complicated parameter dependence will be given. In addition, it is shown that comparisons of experiments and synergy discussions do in general not allow for an unbiased judgment if they are only performed at selected points in parameter space. Therefore, we present our results in dependence of the yet unknown true values of $\sin^2 2 \theta_{13}$ and $\delta_{CP}$. Finally we show that for $\delta_{CP}$ precision measurements there exist simple strategies including superbeams, reactor experiments, superbeam upgrades, and neutrino factories, where the crucial discriminator is $\sin^2 2 \theta_{13} \sim 10^{-2}$.Comment: 32 pages, 9 figure

Probing Non-Standard Neutrino Interactions with Neutrino Factories

We discuss the sensitivity reach of a neutrino factory measurement to non-standard neutrino interactions (NSI), which may exist as a low-energy manifestation of physics beyond the Standard Model. We use the muon appearance mode \nu_e --> \nu_\mu and consider two detectors, one at 3000 km and the other at 7000 km. Assuming the effects of NSI at the production and the detection are negligible, we discuss the sensitivities to NSI and the simultaneous determination of \theta_{13} and \delta by examining the effects in the neutrino propagation of various systems in which two NSI parameters \epsilon_{\alpha \beta} are switched on. The sensitivities to off-diagonal \epsilon's are found to be excellent up to small values of \theta_{13}. We demonstrate that the two-detector setting is powerful enough to resolve the \theta_{13}-NSI confusion problem. We believe that the results obtained in this paper open the door to the possibility of using neutrino factory as a discovery machine for NSI while keeping its primary function of performing precision measurements of the lepton mixing parameters.Comment: 47 pages, 22 figures. Color version of Figs. 18, 19 and 22 can be found in the article published in JHE

Review of North American Neutrino Factory R and D

We report here on the R and D program of the U.S. Neutrino Factory and Muon Collider Collaboration. Our effort includes work on targetry, muon ionization cooling, simulation work, and development of superconducting RF cavities. In addition, we are involved in the international effort toward a Muon Ionization Cooling Experiment (MICE). Recent activities in all these areas will be described

Neutrino factory and muon collider collaboration R & D activities

The Neutrino Factory and Muon Collider Collaboration (MC) comprises about 140 U.S. and non-U.S. accelerator and particle physicists. The MC is carrying out an R & D program aimed at validating the critical design concepts required for the construction of such machines. We are committed to encouraging international cooperation and coordination of the R & D effort. Main activities of the MC include a Targetry program, a MUCOOL program, a component development program, and a theory and simulation effort. Moreover, the MC has participated in several feasibility studies for a complete Neutrino Factory facility, with the aim of identifying any additional R & D activities needed to prepare a Zeroth-order Design Report (ZDR) in about two years and a Conceptual Design report (CDR) about two years thereafter. In this paper, the R & D goals in each area will be indicated, and the present status and future plans of the R & D program will be described

Neutral currents and tests of three-neutrino unitarity in long-baseline experiments

We examine a strategy for using neutral current measurements in long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments to put limits on the existence of more than three light, active neutrinos. We determine the relative contributions of statistics, cross section uncertainties, event misidentification and other systematic errors to the overall uncertainty of these measurements. As specific case studies, we make simulations of beams and detectors that are like the K2K, T2K, and MINOS experiments. We find that the neutral current cross section uncertainty and contamination of the neutral current signal by charge current events allow a sensitivity for determining the presence of sterile neutinos at the 0.10--0.15 level in probablility.Comment: 24 pages, Latex2e, uses graphicx.sty, 2 postscript figures. Submitted to the Neutrino Focus Issue of New Journal Physics at http://www.njp.or

Review of North American Neutrino Factory R&D

We report here on the R&D program of the U.S. Neutrino Factory and Muon Collider Collaboration. Our effort includes work on targetry, muon ionization cooling, simulation work, and development of superconducting RF cavities. In addition, we are involved in the international effort toward a Muon Ionization Cooling Experiment (MICE). Recent activities in all these areas will be described

Neutrino Factory R&D in the U.S.

We report here on the technical progress and R&D plans of the U.S. Neutrino Factory and Muon Collider Collaboration. Programs in targetry, cooling, acceleration, and simulations are covered. U.S. activities in support of the international Muon Ionization Cooling Experiment (MICE) are also described