  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.
