Thesis (M. Hous. M.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006.

Thesis (M Arch)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2010. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Ralph Johnson. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 41-44).

Most optical fibre-based ambient refractive index sensors (including individual long-period gratings) rely on spectral attributes obtained in transmission. However, a probe refractometer has been proposed that is based on self-interference of a long-period grating (LPG), thus providing reflectance spectra containing the relevant data. This sensor operates as a Michelson interferometer by virtue of the fact that its constituent LPG acts as both a mode converter and coupler. Its construction is such that optical power coupled into the cladding (when light impinges on the LPG) is reflected at a fibre mirror and returns towards the grating, where it is re-coupled into the fundamental guided mode. Since light waves propagating along the core and cladding material of the fibre cavity beyond the LPG experience different optical path lengths (due to differing mode indices), a phase difference exists between these modes upon recombining at the grating location. This causes interference, which is manifested as a characteristic fringe pattern in the sensor’s reflectance spectrum (analogous to that obtained in the transmission of a twin LPG cascade operating as a Mach-Zehnder interferometer). Research was conducted towards implementing a unique method of temperature compensation in this LPG-based Michelson interferometer. Sensing attributes of individual LPGs were investigated first, with specific emphasis on the temperature characteristics of two different types of host fibre. It was found that LPGs manufactured in conventional ATC SMF-28 fibre (previously hydrogen-loaded to inscribe the grating and annealed after fabrication) and B/Ge co-doped PS1500 fibre from Fibercore exhibited temperature characteristics of opposite polarity. This led to the implementation of a compound-cavity Michelson interferometer whose constituent LPG is written in one type of fibre, while a specific length of the other type of fibre is fusion spliced onto the host fibre section. Experiments verified the success of this temperature-compensation technique, which caused a measured reduction in temperature sensitivity of up to in interferometer phase shift. Measurements of the refractive index of the test substance surrounding the cladding material of the Michelson interferometer’s fibre cavity (and not the LPG itself) could therefore be done without being adversely affected by environmental temperature fluctuations. This was demonstrated experimentally by comparing the interferometer’s phase shift – devoid of temperature-induced effects – due to increasing refractive index of the analyte (as a result of escalating temperature) with index of refraction readings from a temperature-controlled Abbe refractometer. Numerical gradients of linear curves fitted to these results differed by two orders of magnitude less than the resolution of readings obtained from an Abbe refractometer – proof of the success of the temperature compensation technique applied in this LPG-based Michelson refractometer. / Prof. C. J. Jooste

The period of high inflation during the late 1970s and early 1980s forced lenders to reconsider their methods of financing commercial real estate projects. During this period, lenders began experimenting with various new forms of mortgage documentation designed to support innovative financing techniques. Many of the innovative techniques developed included a participation feature whereby the lender, in addition to earning a fixed rate of interest, also participated in either the income from a project or the increased value in its equity, or both. As a result of instituting these techniques, both lenders and developers expanded their view of what a commercial mortgage entails. It is unlikely that lenders will return to viewing their role as that of simple renters of money. Since the law of mortgages in Canada has not been sufficiently flexible to adequately accommodate these innovative techniques, there is a need for reform of the law of commercial mortgages. In this paper, the writer will review the current commercial lending practices and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the most commonly used forms of participation financing. The conclusion will set out a proposal for the reform of the law of commercial mortgages. Central to its recommendations will be the concept that the commercial mortgage should be regarded as a contract for a debt and not as a conveyance of an interest in property. This concept will allow the commercial lender and borrower the contractual freedom to enter into the bargain that best reflects their financing intentions without being hampered by the historical incidents of a common law mortgage. / Law, Peter A. Allard School of / Graduate

published_or_final_version / Real Estate and Construction / Master / Master of Science in Real Estate and Construction Development

published_or_final_version / Urban Studies / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / Urban Design / Master / Master of Urban Design

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [308]-319).

Thesis (M.B.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Hous. M.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / "Dec 1994." Includes bibliographical references.