Unraveling neutrino parameters with a magical beta-beam experiment at INO

Understand

We expound in detail the physics reach of an experimental set-up in which the proposed large magnetized iron detector at the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) would serve as the far detector for a so-called beta-beam.

• If this pure $\nue$ and/or $\anue$ beam is shot from some source location like CERN such that the source-detector distance $L \simeq 7500$ km, the impact of the CP phase $\delta_{CP}$ on the oscillation probability and associated parameter correlation and degeneracies are almost negligible.
• This ``magical'' beta-beam experiment would have unprecedented sensitivity to the neutrino mass hierarchy and $\theta_{13}$, two of the missing ingredients needed for our understanding of the neutrino sector.
• With Lorentz boost $\gamma=650$ and irrespective of the true value of $\delta_{CP}$, the neutrino mass hierarchy could be determined at $3\sigma$ C.L.