XXth International Conference on Neutrino Physics and Astrophysics
C.Lunardini (Inst. for Advanced Study, Princeton)
Supernova Neutrinos and the Reconstruction of the Neutrino Oscillation
Parameters
We discuss the potential of the study of supernova neutrinos for the
reconstruction of the neutrino mixing matrix and the neutrino mass
spectrum. The attention is focused on the scenario, likely to be
realized in the near future, in which the oscillation solution of the
solar neutrino problem is established and the solar and atmospheric
oscillation parameters are measured with high (about 10-20 per-cent)
precision. In this framework we study the impact of supernova
neutrino observations, at present and future detectors, to the
establishment of the hierarchy of the neutrino mass spectrum and to
the measurement, or constraining, of the nu_e - nu_3 mixing angle,
theta_13. The great sensitivity of the supernova neutrino signal to
theta_13, down to tan^2 theta_13 = 10^-5 - 10^-4, is explored
in detail in connection to the uncertainties in the knowlegde of the
luminosities and energy spectra of the supernova neutrino fluxes in
the different flavors.