# title
Background studies for the MINER Coherent Neutrino Scattering reactor experiment

# abstract
The proposed Mitchell Institute Neutrino Experiment at Reactor (MINER) experiment at the Nuclear Science Center at Texas A&M University will search for coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering within close proximity (about 2m) of a 1MW TRIGA nuclear reactor core using low threshold, cryogenic germanium and silicon detectors. Given the Standard Model cross section of the scattering process and the proposed experimental proximity to the reactor, as many as 520events/kg/day are expected. We discuss the status of preliminary measurements to characterize the main backgrounds for the proposed experiment. Both in situ measurements at the experimental site and simulations using the MCNP and GEANT4 codes are described. A strategy for monitoring backgrounds during data taking is briefly discussed.

# publicationVenue.label
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

# publicationOutlet
NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION A-ACCELERATORS SPECTROMETERS DETECTORS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT

# authors[].organizations[].label
Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES)

# authors[].organizations[].label
Center for Nuclear Security Science & Policy Initiatives

# authors[].organizations[].label
Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES)

# authorList[]
Agnolet, G., Baker, W., Barker, D., Beck, R., Carroll, T. J., Cesar, J., ... Yadavalli, S. A.