The Energy and Zenith Angle Distribution of Upward Going Muons and Neutrino Oscillations

摘要

The energy and zenith angle distribution of neutrino induced, upward goingmuons can give direct information on the presence of $\nu$--oscillations inprecisely the range of parameters suggested as a solution of the atmosphericneutrino problem. We discuss here the uncertainties in the theoreticalprediction. The shape of the zenith angle distribution of the muon flux isquite insensitive to modifications of the theoretical input and is a good probefor the existence of neutrino oscillations. We conclude that the existing datasample on $\nu$--induced muons has the statistical power to confirm or refutethe $\nu$--oscillation solution of the atmospheric neutrino problem.