Neutrino oscillation studies with laser-driven beam dump facilities

Abstract

A new mechanism is suggested for efficient proton acceleration in the GeV energy range; applications to non-conventional high intensity proton drivers and, hence, to low-energy (10-200 MeV) neutrino sources are discussed. In particular we investigate possible uses to explore subdominant ${\bar{\nu }}_{\mu }\to {\bar{\nu }}_e$ oscillations at the atmospheric scale and their CP conjugate. We emphasize the opportunity to develop these facilities in conjunction with projects for inertial confined nuclear fusion and neutron spallation sources.

Comments: 30 pages, 9 figures, minor changes, version to appear in Nucl.Instrum.Meth.A