Beam correlated neutron background studies at ANNIE

The Accelerator Neutrino Neutron Interaction Experiment (ANNIE) is a 26-ton gadolinium-doped water Cherenkov detector located on the Booster Neutrino Beamline (BNB) at Fermilab. ANNIE's primary physics goal is to measure neutron multiplicity and the cross section of beam-correlated neutrino neutron interactions, contributing to improved neutrino reconstruction and reducing uncertainties in current and next-generation neutrino oscillation experiments. Additionally, ANNIE serves as a testbed for cutting-edge technologies, such as Large Area Picosecond Photodetectors (LAPPDs) and Water-based Liquid Scintillator, which enhance interaction vertex resolution and detection below the Cherenkov threshold. A critical aspect of achieving these goals is understanding and mitigating beam-related neutron backgrounds. This talk will present a comprehensive overview of the beam-correlated neutron background studies conducted at ANNIE.