Overview and Design of the sPHENIX TPC

Abstract

The proposed sPHENIX detector at RHIC is being designed to study with unprecedented precision the nature of the Quark Gluon Plasma, or QGP, at RHIC through measurement of jets, jet correlations, and Y particles. To reach the goal of producing a high mass-resolution reconstruction of the Y(nS) states, a compact TPC covering pseudorapidities < |1.1| is under construction to provide sPHENIX with the necessary invariant mass resolution. Similar to the ALICE-TPC upgrade, the sPHENIX TPC design presently utilizes quadruple- GEM detectors. Utilizing novel zigzag patterned readout pads, a modified SAMPA readout chip, and an optimized Ne-CF4 gas mixture immersed in a 1.4 T magnetic field to reduce ion backflow, sPHENIX will have a unique lens into the QGP. The motivation behind the design and innovations of the TPC will be presented, along with the current status of the project.