Neutrino Physics

Measuring the neutrino mass hierarchy with KM3NeT-ORCA

With the ORCA (Oscillation Research with Cosmics in the Abyss) detector the KM3NeT collaboration will study a fundamental question of particle physics: that of the relative ordering of the neutrino masses, also referred to as the neutrino mass hierarchy. The influence of the mass hierarchy on neutrino oscillations in matter leaves its imprint on the atmospheric neutrino flux. The first construction phase of ORCA has started and the full detector could be operational towards 2020. With three years of data taking ORCA will resolve the neutrino mass hierarchy with a median significance of about 3 sigma (370:1). More information can be found here.