Matter density profile shape effects at DUNE

Kevin J. Kelly,Stephen J. Parke

doi:10.1103/physrevd.98.015025

Abstract

Quantum mechanical interactions between neutrinos and matter along the path of propagation, the Wolfenstein matter effect, are of particular importance for the upcoming long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments, specifically the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). Here, we explore specifically what about the matter density profile can be measured by DUNE, considering both the shape and normalization of the profile between the neutrinos' origin and detection. Additionally, we explore the capability of a perturbative method for calculating neutrino oscillation probabilities and whether this method is suitable for DUNE. We also briefly quantitatively explore the ability of DUNE to measure the Earth's matter density, and the impact of performing this measurement on measuring standard neutrino oscillation parameters.

Highlights

Neutrino physics is entering a new era of precision measurements, following up on the discovery that neutrinos have mass and leptons mix
Neutrino oscillations are a interesting direction by which one can study physics beyond that predicted by the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics
One experiment that will carry the field into this new era is the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) [1], which expects to begin collecting data within the decade

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Neutrino physics is entering a new era of precision measurements, following up on the discovery that neutrinos have mass and leptons mix. Have the opportunity to interact with while traveling, a nontrivial effect that impacts neutrino oscillations in a measurable way These impacts have been well studied for several decades [2] and are critical for the physics goals of the experiment While matter density effects are important for its experimental goals, changes to the neutrino oscillation by changing the profile in ways discussed in Ref.

NEUTRINO OSCILLATIONS IN MATTER

SENSITIVITY OF DUNE

Naïve estimate of sensitivity

Sensitivity to oscillation parameters

Matter density profile effects

Perturbative approaches

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS