Neutrino Factories: Physics

Abstract

The recent evidence for neutrino oscillations opens a new and exciting era in neutrino physics. The next generation of accelerator based neutrino oscillation experiments are expected to confirm the nature of the oscillations, and begin to measure some of the associated oscillation parameters. However, these experiments will not be able to completely determine the mixing matrix, determine the pattern of neutrino masses, or search for CP violation in the lepton sector. Therefore we are motivated to consider the neutrino beams that will be needed beyond the next generation of experiments. With this in mind the physics case for a neutrino factory is discussed. It is shown that this new type of neutrino source would enable the crucial questions to be addressed, and perhaps provide enough information to discriminate between Grand Unified Theories, or lead us to an alternative theoretical framework. It is possible that measurements at a neutrino factory will point the way towards an understanding of the origin of quark and lepton flavors.