Long-baseline study of the leading neutrino oscillation at a neutrino factory - art. no. 013004

Within the framework of three-flavor neutrino oscillations, we consider the physics potential of nu(e)-->nu(mu) appearance and nu(mu)-->nu(mu) surviva l measurements at a neutrino factory for a leading oscillation scale delta m(2) similar to 3.5 x 10(-3) eV(2). Event rates are evaluated versus baseli ne and stored muon energy, and optimal values discussed. Over a sizable reg ion of oscillation parameter space, matter effects would enable the sign of delta m(2) to be determined from a comparison of nu(e)-->nu(mu) with <(nu) over bar>(e)--><(nu)over bar>(mu) event rates and energy distributions. Ii is important, therefore, that both positive and negative muons can be store d in the ring. Measurements of the nu(mu)-->nu(mu) survival spectrum could determine the magnitude of delta m(2) and the leading oscillation amplitude with a precision of O (1%-2%).