Tau appearance in atmospheric neutrino interactions
If the correct interpretation of the Super-Kamiokande atmospheric neutrino data is {nu}{sub {mu}} {yields} {nu}{sub {tau}} oscillation, the contained data sample should already have more than 10 {tau} appearance events. We study the challenging task of detecting the {tau}, focusing on the decay chain {tau}{sup {+-}} {yields} {rho}{sup {+-}} {yields} {pi}{sup {+-}}{pi}{sup 0} in events with quasi-elastic {tau} production. The background level, which is currently quite uncertain because of a lack of relevant neutral current data, can be measured by the near detector in the K2K experiment. Our estimates of the background suggest that it may be possible to detect {tau} appearance in Super-Kamiokande with 5-10 years of running.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; National Science Foundation Grant PHY-95-14797; Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 836541
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL-42429; R&D Project: PTHOPS; TRN: US0500625
- Journal Information:
- Physics Letters B, Vol. 463, Issue 2-4; Other Information: Submitted to Physics Letters B: Volume 463, No.2-4; Journal Publication Date: 09/30/1999; PBD: 24 Oct 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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