Background Characterization at HFIR for PROSPECT

Reactor neutrino studies in recent years have highlighted inconsistencies in the predicted antineutrino flux and spectrum from reactors. PROSPECT, the Precision Reactor Oscillation and Spectrum Experiment, aims to answer these questions by precisely measuring antineutrinos at 7-9 meters from Oak Ridge National Laboratory's High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR). The sterile neutrino parameter range is best explored whilst gathering antineutrino spectroscopic data over this range of baselines. Full characterization of backgrounds before and after commissioning of the experiment is important to fully understand the detector response, and to investigate background variations during reactor operations. For this purpose, an array of neutron and gamma detectors called DANG was developed. Characterization of backgrounds at HFIR through measurements and simulations will be presented.