Accelerator Neutrino Beams

Abstract

Neutrino beams at from high-energy proton accelerators have been instrumental discovery tools in particle physics. Neutrino beams are derived from the decays of charged pi and K mesons, which in turn are created from proton beams striking thick nuclear targets. The precise selection and manipulation of the pi/K beam control the energy spectrum and type of neutrino beam. This article describes the physics of particle production in a target and manipulation of the particles to derive a neutrino beam, as well as numerous innovations achieved at past experimental facilities.