Higher γ's and smaller detectors for the Beta Beam

The Beta Beam concept is a very promising technology to achieve high intensity and high purity neutrino beams. The main limitation of the Beta Beam in its baseline configuration ("low-γ option") resides in the smallness of the parent ion energy. Here, the emerging electron neutrinos have an energy of a few hundreds MeV, i.e. a spectrum that significantly limits the physics reach of the facility. Moreover, in order to attain sensitivities comparable to a Phase II Superbeam, the construction of a Mton size detector is mandatory to overcome the smallness of the cross sections. In the following, we discuss a few recent proposals for an increase of the parent ion energy ("high-γ options") with emphasis on physics performances and technological challenges.