Configuring the Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment

We study the neutrino oscillationphysics performance of the Long-Baseline NeutrinoExperiment (LBNE) in various configurations. In particular, we compare the case of a surface detectorat the far site augmented by a near detector, to that with the far site detectorplaced deep underground but no near detector. In the latter case, information from atmospheric neutrinoevents is also utilized. For values of \theta_{13} favored by reactor experiments and a 100 kt-yr exposure, we find roughly equivalent sensitivities to the neutrinomass hierarchy, the octant of \theta_{23}, and to CP violation. We also find that as the exposure is increased, the near detectorhelps increase the sensitivity to CP violationsubstantially more than atmospheric neutrinos.