Towards a detection of reactor $\overline{\nu}^{}_e \to \overline{\nu}^{}_\mu$ and $\overline{\nu}^{}_e \to \overline{\nu}^{}_\tau$ oscillations with possible CP violation

Abstract

We propose an unprecedented detection of reactor $\overline{\nu}^{}_e \to \overline{\nu}^{}_\mu$ and $\overline{\nu}^{}_e \to \overline{\nu}^{}_\tau$ oscillations by using elastic antineutrino-electron scattering processes $\overline{\nu}^{}_\alpha + e^- \to \overline{\nu}^{}_\alpha + e^-$ (for $\alpha = e, \mu, \tau$), among which the $\overline{\nu}^{}_e$ events can be singled out by accurately measuring the $\overline{\nu}^{}_e$ flux via the inverse beta decay $\overline{\nu}^{}_e + p \to e^+ + n$. A proof-of-concept study shows that such measurements will not only be able to test the conservation of probability for reactor antineutrino oscillations, but also offer a new possibility to probe leptonic CP violation at the one-loop level.