Neutrino-Induced Neutron Detectors at the Spallation Neutron Source

The COHERENT collaboration seeks to measure neutrino interaction cross sections using the high-intensity, pulsed neutrino flux provided by the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). In addition to ongoing CEvNS measurements, the collaboration deploys a set of detectors dedicated to the observation of neutrons produced via neutrino interactions in iron and lead, common shielding materials. Neutrino-nucleus interactions in the shielding material can yield excited nuclear states which may decay via the emission of neutrons. These neutrino-induced neutrons (NINs) represent a potential background for CEvNS measurements as well as a detection channel for SNe neutrinos. However, current theoretical cross sections suffer from large uncertainty. The design, operations, and analysis status of COHERENT's NIN detectors will be presented.