Prospects of probing $\theta_{13}$ and neutrino mass hierarchy by Supernova Neutrinos in KamLAND

Abstract

In this paper we study the physics potential of the KamLAND detector in probing neutrino oscillation parameters through observation of supernova neutrinos. In particular, we discuss the possibilities of probing the mixing angle $\theta_{13}$ and determining the sign of $\Delta m^2_{32}$ from the total charged current(CC) event rates on the proton and $^{12}{C}$ target, as well as from the CC spectra. We discuss the chances of probing the earth matter effect induced modulations from the observation of CC spectra in the different CC reactions in KamLAND and find the volume required to get a statistically significant signature of the earth matter effect in different energy bins. We also calculate the event rates expected in the neutral current (NC) reactions on Carbon and free proton and investigate if the charged current to neutral current ratios, which are free of the absolute luminosity uncertainty in the supernova neutrino fluxes, can be useful in probing the oscillation parameters.