In this thesis, four experimental studies are reported. Two concern the surface structure of commercially relevant dental implant materials. Characterisation of four treated substrates supplied by Straumann AG was carried out. These include substrates equivalent to the commercially available SLA, SLActive and Roxolid implants. The materials vary in substrate alloy, commercially pure (grade 2) Ti and a TiZr alloy, and surface preparation treatments. All substrates are sandblasted and acid etched however post-etching one set are stored in air whilst the others are stored in saline. Within the work both substrate composition and surface treatment is shown to impact on the respective surface oxide thickness, crystallinity and morphology. The other two experimental studies concern calcium phosphate deposition from solution onto substrates. The first investigation is the deposition of calcium phosphate from a simulated body fluid onto implant-like substrates, shown to be structurally equivalent to the SLA and SLActive implant surfaces. The effect of surface modifications on calcium phosphate deposition is investigated; over the period investigated calcium phosphate did not deposit onto the SLA substrate, whilst deposition occurred within 3 days on the SLActive substrate. The role of Mg2+ ions in the simulated body fluid is also investigated, with increased [Mg2+] resulting in a longer induction period and modified crystallinity of the hydroxyapatite film formed. The final study is a model study of the initial calcium phosphate deposition on to substrates. TiO2 rutile (110) and Al2O3 corundum (0001) were prepared to be atomically flat and then exposed to a simple calcium phosphate solution. Changes in surface structure and surface chemistry over the first three hours of exposure were investigated. Deposition occurred rapidly on both substrates with a complete surface coverage after 3 hours.

硅對現今科技至關重要。而有機物吸附於硅表面可能大大擴展硅的用途。在本論文中，我採用密度泛函理論研究了六種分子於硅表面的反應。本論文大致可分為四部分。 / 第一部分包含四個分子（吡嗪、吡啶、嘧啶與1,3,5-三氮嗪）的吸附研究。它們都擁有類似於苯的結構而環中又包含氮原子。分子可以用氮原子與表面形成配位鍵並作為進一步反應的前體故其反應更為容易預測。而反應通常只消除π 鍵而不會使分子分解這使得分子可以在平衡狀態下與表面生成最為穩定的結構。此兩種特性使它們成為硅表面吸附的絶佳研究對象。不同的實驗都顯示出吡嗪於硅表面只會生成Cross-row bridge 結構加熱硅表面更會促進納米線的生成。過往的計算無法解釋實驗結果而我的計算表明范德華力對導出正確計算結果非常重要加入范德華力的修正可以同時解釋單一產物與納米線的生成。吡啶的吸附實驗結果相比之下較為複雜。低溫下的吸附與飽和只生成兩種產物可是室溫下的實驗卻顯示多種產物並存於表面。加入范德華力的計算結果指出覆蓋度和溫度與吸附密切相關並指出對低溫下形成的飽和表面加溫可能促使納米線的生成。而於室溫下吡啶可進入多條反應路徑致使多種產物於表面並存。基於范德華力對這兩個分子的顯著影響我又將此效應加諸於嘧啶與1,3,5-三氮嗪的吸附研究。結果表明於低覆蓋度與低溫下它們只生成Double-dative 產物。然而增加覆蓋度會使Double-dative 的能量高於其它產物導致多種產物並存。由於嘧啶與1,3,5-三氮嗪都可生成一種特別的tight-bridge 結構加溫會使它們輕易解離。對此四種分子的研究顯示出氮原子的數量與位置如何影響吸附過程。 / 第二部分包含對1,2-環己二酮的吸附研究。於室溫下此分子會以互變異構體形式存在。之前的實驗指出它會先變回二酮才進行後續反應這種硅表面輔助互變反應的現象是前所未見的卻無後續研究以驗証其說。我的計算結果指出雖然互變反應的能壘被硅表面大幅降低可是仍不足以與其他反應路徑相匹敵。其中三種新產物既與實驗譜相吻合而反應能壘和能量都低故比之前所提產物更為可取。 / 第三部分包含對氰基苯的吸附研究。之前的三個實驗給出完全不同的結論。探明其與覆蓋度和溫度的關係後我提出氰基苯於低溫下飽和只會生成一種產物。而在室溫下的吸附會先生成valley-bridge 結構增加覆蓋度將使多種產物並存。計算結果不但表明有序吸附的可能性同時又解釋為何不同實驗給出看似不相容的結論。 / Silicon is an important material and substrate in modern technologies. Adsorption of organic molecules on silicon surface has attracted much attention due to the possibility of functionalizing the surface. In this thesis, density functional theory has been applied to study the adsorption of several organic molecules on Si(100) surface. / Results on the adsorption of benzene-like N-heteroaromatic molecules on Si(100)surface, including pyrazine, pyridine, pyrimidine and s-triazine, are presented in Chapters 2-4. This class of molecules, containing nitrogen atoms, can datively attach to dimer and act as precursor for further reaction. Thus, their reactions on surface can be easily predicted. Their reaction with surface would sacrifice π bond rather than dissociation under very mild condition such that the most stable adsorption product can be obtained under thermal equilibrium. These two properties of N-heteroaromatic compounds makes them good models for the study of reaction on surface Experiments repeatedly showed that pyrazines formed cross-row bridge structures on Si(100) under various conditions, and thermal annealing led to the formation of ordered nano-lines. Previous calculations did not explain these observations. This thesis demonstrates that addition of van der Waals (vdW) correction is critical to explain the formation of both the cross-row bridge and the nano-lines. For pyridine, the situation is more complex. Only two products were observed in low temperature adsorption experiments. In contrast, room temperature experiments yielded a mixture of products. With vdW corrections added, results show that pyridine adsorption is dependent on both coverage and temperature. Adsorption and saturation started at low temperature and followed by annealing may produce nano-lines consisted of cross-row bridge structures. Adsorption at room temperature opens up all reaction channels such that nano-line formation becomes difficult, which explains the discrepancy among experimental studies. In light of these results, the pyrimidine and s-triazine adsorption on Si(100) are also explored. The results show that they form double-dative structures at low coverage and low temperature. Increasing coverage will destabilize it and lead to mixture of products. These structures decompose easily upon heating due to the formation of a particular tight-bridge structure. These results show that the position and number of heteroatom are important to explain the difference in reaction selectivity among N-heteroaromatic molecules. For all four molecules, cooperative effect and the addition of vdW correction, which are almost neglected in similar study, are shown to be important in surface adsorption process. / In Chapter 5, the adsorption of 1,2-cyclohexanedione (1,2-CHD) on surface is studied. Gas molecule of 1,2-CHD exists in the tautomeric form (2-hydroxylcyclohex-2-ene-1-one) at room temperature. Previous experimental studies claimed that surface assisted tautomerization back to 1,2-CHD took place before further reaction, although there was no follow-up study. Computational results showed that although surface adsorption lowers the barrier for tautomerization, the barrier is still at least 5 times larger than other reaction channels. Three new structures are proposed, which are in better agreement with previous spectroscopic results. / In the final chapter, the adsorption of benzonitrile on Si(100) is studied. Three previous experimental studies presented conflicting results. With the coverage and temperature dependence effects clarified, my results suggest that adsorption at saturation and low temperature leads to a single product. Adsorption at room temperature first leads to a valley-bridge structure, while a mixture of adsorption structures is produced upon increasing coverage, which explained the conflicting experimental results. The last two chapters show the importance of computational modeling for interpretation and summarizing experimental results. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Ng, Kwok Hung. / Thesis (Ph.D.) Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2014. / Includes bibliographical references. / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Ng, Kwok Hung.

近年來，表面等離子體因為可以在金屬表面激發極強的局部電磁場而受到廣泛的關注。它是光和物質之間的重要的聯繫。基於它在納米量級上操控和引導光子的能力，表面等離子體已廣泛應用于納米和生物光學之中，比如生物傳感器，表面增強拉曼散射，光鑷，發光二極管，太陽能電池和超材料等等。然而，儘管系統結構，材料特性，激發光波長和條件都會影響表面等離子體本身的特性以及它與材料之間的相互作用，這些外部條件的整體效果卻常常不為人所知。更重要的是，在表面等離子體和這些外部條件之間，似乎仍有未知的聯繫存在。比如，現在人們仍然不是很清楚激發表面等離子體的納米結構到底是怎樣控制它以及與它相關的特性的。 / 在這篇論文里，我們希望通過耦合模理論將這些外部條件和表面等離子體特性聯繫起來。耦合模理論提供了表面等離子體吸收和輻射壽命等內部參數以及它們與光相位，振幅，傳播方向的關係。因為這些外部條件和壽命參數，激發條件之間的聯繫廣為人知，我們因此就可以把這些外部條件和表面等離子體特性聯繫起來了。一旦獲得了這些壽命參數，我們亦可從另外一個角度研究表面等離子體的基本特性。比如，我們發現兩個簡併表面等離子體耦合除了形成超模式和次模式以外，它們的輻射壽命和吸收壽命都發生了改變。另外，我們在實空間和動量空間研究了表面等離子體衰變長度，群速度等其他內部參數，并發現它們和等離子體衰減及態密度有重要聯繫。我們還發現基於相位躍變的表面等離子體傳感器在臨界耦合時將獲得最優表現。最後，通過研究發光材料和表面等離子體之間的耦合效率，我們發現態密度在其中起了關鍵作用。 / Surface plasmons (SPs), which generate strong localized electromagnetic fields at metal surface, have been capturing worldwide attention recently because they establish an important link between light and matter. Due to their ability to route and manipulate photon at the nanoscale, SPs have been widely used in nano- and bio-photonics including biosensor, surface enhanced Raman scattering, optical tweezers, light emitting diodes, solar cell, and metamaterials, etc. However, although it is known that system geometry, material, wavelength, excitation condition are important in governing the behaviors of SPs as well as matter/SPPs interactions, how they work together in producing the final outcome is largely unknown. More importantly, there seems to be a "missing link" between these extrinsic parameters and the properties of SPs such that, for example, it is still not quite understood the exact roles of geometry play in controlling the SPs and their related properties. / In this thesis, we aim at bridging the link between extrinsic parameters and SPs properties based on temporal coupled-mode theory (CMT). CMT provides the knowledge of intrinsic parameters such as SPs radiative and absorption rates and their relationships with the phase, amplitude, and directionality of SPs. Because decay rates are strong function of system parameters, excitation condition, etc, connection between the extrinsic parameters and the SPs properties can now be established. With the decay rates and other accessories in hand, we study the fundamental of SPs from another perspective. For example, we examine how two degenerate SPs modes couple to yield a pair of dark and bright modes and find not only the radiation damping of SPs but also the absorption are modified. In addition, we study the decay length and the group velocity of SPs in real- and momentum- space to elucidate the interplay between the SPs losses and the wavevector-resolved projected density-of-optical-states (PDOS). We also explore the rate matching (i.e. critical coupling) for optimizing the phase-jump in SPs resonance sensing and achieve high figure of merit in sensing performance. Finally, the coupling between SPs and light emitters has been studied and it is found that their coupling rate is governed by PDOS. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Cao, Zhaolong = 表面等離子體激元在金屬納米洞陣列上的衰變研究及其應用 / 曹兆龍. / Thesis (Ph.D.) Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2014. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-149). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Cao, Zhaolong = Biao mian deng li zi ti ji yuan zai jin shu na mi dong zhen lie shang de shuai bian yan jiu ji qi ying yong / Cao Zhaolong.

表面電漿是由貴金屬表面電荷密度漲落引起的沿著金屬表面傳播的電磁波。在過去十年裡，表面電漿效應因其在光子器件，傳感，表面增強螢光，尤其是表面增強拉曼散射(SERS) 方面的應用而引起了廣泛的關注.許多著作中的結論已經證實了的預期的SERS 強度，因此使得基於各種不同納米結構中的熱點的SERS變成一種下一代超敏感生物傳感平臺。因為表面電漿的波長和材料介電性質密切相闕，受f於此，難以進一步減小，所以對於進一步的各種應用來說，保證產生高強度的表面電漿使至關重要。同時，用電漿實現納米光子器件已經引起了研完者長久的興趣。例如，基於等問距規則排列的密置金屬納米顆粒之間突破衍射極限的的近場耕合已經被用於傳輸光信號。但是，輻射和吸收損耗在此類波導中是很嚴重的。因此，設計新概念的電漿器件是急需的。 / 有鑒於上述種種問題，本論文集中于總結構和材料兩方面剪裁表面電漿以期達到下面的要點和目的: / (1)基於傳播電漿(PSPs) ，或者傳播電漿同局域電漿(LPRs) 的結合而發展新的簡單的器件，由此提供顯著的聚焦、電磁場和場強增強。這種器件可以應用於很多方面，包括依賴強場的生物分子傳感探測，以及非線性光學效應。 / (2) 設計基於增益介臂的低損耗的納米光子學器件，這種器件能夠為納米光子器件提供切實的可行性。針對表面電漿共振和電漿結構植于的介電環境之間聯繫，獲得其理論闡釋。這一工作將可以為傳感和器件設計提供深入的理解。 / 本論文中我們已經得到了如下的成果: / (1)一種基於將表面電漿聚焦到金屬盤中心孔而實現級聯放大增強的SERS 激勵源被提出和理論研究。這種器件提供了準均勻，水平偏振，較大面積的強SERS 激勵源。如時域有限差分(FDTD) 方法所揭試，強度譜線和波長範圍在650-1000 nm的近場性質展混出了一系列增強模式。在最佳的增強模式下，孔洞中的電場可以使得SERS 信號獲得四次方的進一步增強。同時一種解析模型也被提出來給FDTD結果以精確的解釋。我們的模型同時揭示了通過侵化金屬盤尺度而得到八次方場增強的可能性。我們的結果表明極強的電場增強，並且聚焦的電場是平行于金屬盤平面的效果，只能在中間包含一個孔洞的中空金屬盤(HMDs) 中才可能實現。這是因為金屬盤中間絶悸的問時的存在使得孔洞邊棒的電子不能流通間隙，進進而使得高強度的電場可以存在。另一方面，在實心的金屬盤的情形下，電子流會傾向於抑制到達中心的表面電漿的強度。除了產生高度優化的SERS 熱點，這種大面積的活性孔洞在螢光增強和非線性光學中也提供了一些潛在的應用。 / 除了中空金屬盤，基於經由增孟輔助下PSPs 的LPRs 之間的衍射共掠，我們開發了另一種一種高度侵化的熱點。由此得到的器件被理論上分析。衍射共振的過程是經由下述過程實現的:由LPRs 實現的光場局域化， LPRs 和PSPs 相互作用，以及通過PSPs 的能量傳遞。我們的研究表明通過給PSPs 引入光學增孟，可以從一種激光過程中的到LPRs 非常強的電磁場增強。我們發現通過現實的增豆豆水平，局域電場的增強引子可以達到10⁷。因此，我們為實現依賴強電場的單分子SERS提供了一種理想的方案，並且這種方案也是一種納米激光的新機制。 / (2) 基於增孟輔助的電漿共振金屬納米顆粒鏈，我們提出了一種低損耗納米尺度的波導。我們證明通過引入增孟材料或者引入適當的介電材料作為周圍環境，波導的損耗可以顯著減小。為了得到低損耗傳翰的復介電譜，我們開發了一種高效的膺正交基展開(POBE) 方法。本徵模式分析揭示了低損耗模式的物理源頭，同時給出了除了基於單體偶極共振傳輸之外能量傳輸的可能性。我們提出一種基於電子書刻蝕和化學合成納米顆粒的一種製備方案。這種電漿波導可以構成納米光學器件的基石，尤其是用於集成納米光子學線路。同時，我們原創的揭示表面電漿的物理機理的POBE 方法可以用於進一步研究優化增豆豆輔助的電漿結構，進而設計良好的納米光子器件。 / 本論文始於一個古老問題:宏觀尺度下基於傳統介電材料光聚焦和傳導，并最後終結於納米尺度內經由增益材料和電漿結構的表面電漿的聚焦、和引導。論文結尾，本文給出了展望以及幾種可能的器件實現方案。 / Surface plasmons (SPs) are electromagnetic waves that propagate along the surface of a noble metal via fluctuations in electron density. In the last decade, SPs effects gained widespread attention for their potential application in photonic devices, sensing, surface-enhanced fluorescence, especially Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS). Many published results have confirmed the expected strengths of SERS, hence making it possible for SERS to become a next generation ultra-sensitive biosensing platform, which may take the form of various nano-structures in order to achieve optimized hot spots. While the wavelength of SPs is closely related to material dielectric properties and has limited scope for further reduction, it is of critical importance to ensure that SPs are being generated with the highest intensity before any further application advancement is possible. Meanwhile, plasmonics has aroused longstanding interests among researchers to realize nanophotonic devices. For example, ordered arrays of closely spaced metallic nanoparticles (MNP) have been employed to transport optical signals via near-field coupling below the diffraction limit. However, radiation and absorption losses in these waveguides can be serious. New concepts for novel plasmonic devices are essential. / In light of these issues, this thesis focuses on tailoring SPs from the viewpoints of structural and material properties with the following objectives: / (1) To develop a new class of simple plasmonic devices based on tailoring of propagating surface plasmons (PSPs) or cooperation between PSPs and localized plasmon resonance (LPRs) to offer significant field focusing and intensity enhancement. It can serve a wide range of applications, including high field related biomolecular sensing and detection as well as non-linear optical effects. / (2) To design low loss nanophotonic wave guides based on gain medium, which may offer real opportunity for practical nanophotonic devices. To obtain a theoretical interpretation of relationship between surface plasmon resonance and host environment where the plasmonic structure embedded. This study should provide further insight towards sensing and device design. / We have achieved the following results in this project: / (1) A novel SERS excitation source based on focusing of surface plasmons around the center hole of a metal disk for cascaded enhancement is put forward and studied theoretically. The device offers intense SERS excitation with quasi-uniformity and horizontal polarization over a comparatively large hole. As revealed by fmite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, the intensity spectra and the characteristics of the near field for the wavelength range of 650-1 000 nm exhibit a number of enhancement modes. Electric field intensity of the optimal mode enhances the SERS signal inside the hole by over four orders. An analytical model was also developed to gain precise interpretation on FDTD results. Our model also reveals the possibility of achieving eight orders of enhancement by optimizing the scale of the disk. Our results indicate that much higher electric field enhancement in hollow metal disks (HMDs) can only be possible when we have a hole at the centre and the direction of the focusing field is parallel to the surface of the plasmonic device. This is because of the presence of an insulating gap at the center, that higher level of electric field can exist as electrons are not allowed to flow pass the gap. On the other hand, in the case of a solid metal disk, the flow of mobile electron will tend to dampen the amplitude of the arriving SPs. In addition to generation of highly optimized hot spots for SERS, the large active hole also offers potential applications in fluorescence enhancement and nonlinear spectroscopy. / In addition to HMDs, we also develop a kind of highly optimized hot spots based on diffraction coupling between LPRs via gain-assisted PSPs. Thus derived device was theoretically analyzed. The process of diffraction coupling is achieved via localization of light by LPRs, LPRs-PSPs interplay and PSPs transfer. Our study shows that by incorporating optical gain to PSPs, a very strong boost of the electromagnetic enhancement of LPRs can be expected from a lasing process. We find that with a practical gain level, the enhancement factor of local electric field intensity can be larger than 10⁷. Hence, we offer an ideal configuration to realize high-field dependent single molecule SERS and also a newly applied physical scheme for nano-Iaser. / (2) We propose a low-loss nanoscale wave guide based on gain-assisted plasmonic resonance MNP chain. We demonstrate that by employing a gain material or even an appropriate dielectric for the host environment, waveguide loss can be reduced dramatically. A highly efficient pseudo-orthonormal basis expansion (POBE) method for obtaining the complex dielectric spectra of the low-loss transmission has been developed. Eigenmode analysis revealed the physical origin of those low-loss wave guiding modes, which opens the possibility to achieve waveguiding other than using conventional dipolar resonances of individual particles. A scheme based on electron beam lithography and chemically synthesized nanoparticles has been proposed to fabricate the device. Such plasmonic waveguides may serve as building blocks for making nanoscale optical devices especially for integrated nanophotonic circuits. Meanwhile, the originally developed POBE method, which reveals the general physical mechanism of SPs, can be used to further explore optimized gain-assisted plasmonic structures to design favorable nanophotonic devices. / This thesis begins with an old problem: light focusing and guiding in macroscopic scale with traditional dielectric, and sum up finally with SPs focusing and guiding in nanoscale with gain material and plasmonic material. An outlook is presented at last with several potential schemes for the device realization. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Zhang, Haixi. / "September 2011." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-139). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese. / Chapter Chapter1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Towards field intensity focusing and guiding of electromagnetic wave --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Surface plasmons as a route to realize electromagnetic field focusing and waveguiding in nanoscale --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Structure of this thesis --- p.10 / Chapter Chapter2 --- Plasmonic near field engineering: structural and material aspects --- p.13 / Chapter 2.1 --- Light focusing using near field oflocalized plasmon resonances --- p.13 / Chapter 2.2 --- Plasmonic near field focusing through propagating surface plasmons --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3 --- Various schemes for near field focusing through surface plasmons --- p.33 / Chapter 2.4 --- Guiding surface plasmons in nanoscale --- p.35 / Chapter 2.5 --- Gain-assisted surface plasmons: a different path to field enhancement and guiding --- p.38 / Chapter Chapter3 --- Surface plasmons: characteristics and methodology --- p.42 / Chapter 3.1 --- Characteristics of localized plasmon resonance --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2 --- Localized plasmon resonance: Mie theory and its variations --- p.44 / Chapter 3.3 --- Characteristics of propagating surface plasmons --- p.49 / Chapter 3.4 --- Reflection Pole Method for studying propagating surface plasmons in multilayer structures --- p.55 / Chapter 3.5 --- Pseudo-orthonormal basis expansion method: a new mathematical scheme for modeling surface plasmons --- p.58 / Chapter Chapter4 --- High field generation through intensity focusing of propagating surface plasmons --- p.62 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.62 / Chapter 4.2 --- The hollow metal disk design and its characteristics --- p.64 / Chapter 4.3 --- Quasi-uniform excitation source based on focusing of propagating surface plasmons for cascade enhancement of surface enhanced Raman scattering --- p.68 / Chapter 4.4 --- Conclusions and outlook --- p.78 / Chapter Chapter5 --- High field generation through intensity enhancement of localized plasmon resonance from gain-assisted diffraction coupling --- p.81 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.81 / Chapter 5.2 --- Diffraction excitation of localized plasmon resonance from propagating surface plasmons --- p.83 / Chapter 5.3 --- Diffraction coupling of localized plasmon resonance through gain-assisted propagating surface plasmons --- p.89 / Chapter Chapter6 --- Gain-assisted plasmonic waveguides based on nanoparticle chains: an effective device approach for achieving low loss in nanoscale dimensions --- p.97 / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.97 / Chapter 6.2 --- Theoretical study of near-field particle interactions in active plasmon wave guides --- p.99 / Chapter 6.3 --- Routing and splitting of electromagnetic energy in nanosphere plasmon waveguides --- p.103 / Chapter 6.4 --- Conclusions --- p.107 / Chapter Chapter7 --- Conclusions and outlook --- p.109 / Appendix --- p.117 / Bibliography --- p.124

固體表面吸附高分子常被用於控制介面的物化特性，例如，膠體粒子的位阻穩定或者絮凝作用，表面改性以及生物增容作用，表面潤滑和耐磨性能。在分子水準上，促進高分子吸附作用的機制包括：范德華作用，氫鍵相互作用，靜電作用和含表面結合位點的特殊相互作用。近年來，表面改性的研究熱點集中於尋找合適的方法，包括精確控制聚電解質刷的合成以及高分子吸附的選擇。然而，對於改性後的表面間相互作用的直接測定顯得相對滯後。這其中的原因主要是因為它們之間的相互作用太弱，無法用常規儀器測定。 / 本篇論文的主要目的是直接定量地測定固體表面吸附高分子和接枝完聚電解質高分子刷之後於水溶液中的弱相互作用。第一章主要介紹固體表面如膠體粒子間的相互作用，著重細緻討論了排空力，位阻排斥力，振盪結構力以及聚電解質刷所引起的作用力。在第二章中，我們探討了自行搭建的單粒子力學顯微鏡全內反射顯微鏡的歷史，發展及其原理。第三章闡述了表面改性中具體的化學方法。 / 第四章中，我們用直徑為5微米的聚苯乙烯小球作為探針，利用全內反射顯微鏡測定了不同的鹽溶液（氯化鈉和高氯酸鈉）對陽離子聚電解質刷（聚甲基丙烯醯氧乙基三甲基氯化銨）構象的影響。實驗結果顯示，高氯酸根與聚電解質刷的相互作用除了電荷遮罩作用外，還與聚電解質刷上的季銨鹽離子有強烈的離子配對作用能引起聚電解質刷失水造成“疏水折攏“。 / 在第五章中，我們主要運用全內反射顯微鏡研究了pH及離子強度變化對另一種陽離子聚電解質刷聚甲基丙烯酸二甲氨乙酯的溶脹作用的影響。對包覆了分子量為2000 g/mol的聚乙烯亞胺的聚苯乙烯微球以及表面改性了該種聚電解質刷之間的相互作用進行了直接測定。研究結果表明，聚電解質刷的鏈長，pH以及鹽離子強度對其作用影響很大。本實驗主要研究了兩種鏈長的聚電解質刷在溶液中的作用。對於較短的鏈長，在pH為4.2時，雙電層中的擴散層交疊排斥作用占主導且作用機理符合傳統的DLVO理論。但是，當pH逐步下降時，長程吸引作用開始出現。對於溶脹的較長鏈聚電解質刷，在高pH及低鹽離子強度時，其相互作用符合DLVO理論。然而，當降低pH或者提高鹽離子濃度時，作用勢能偏離DLVO理論，具體表現為：pH 4.0時為純靜電排斥作用，pH 3.6時出現弱吸引作用，pH 3.0時吸引變強，以上過程可循環往復。 / 第六章主要利用全內反射顯微鏡測定了一個微球與平整玻璃表面之間由聚環氧乙烷水溶液引起的相互作用。我們的結果展示了聚環氧乙烷吸附在兩固體表面上所引起的作用具有很強的濃度依賴性：在低濃度時，由靜電層排斥作用占主導；在較高濃度時，由聚合物橋接引起的長程吸引開始出現；在更高濃度時，我們檢測到額外的排斥作用出現，並推測是由於位阻排斥作用而非排斥的排空力作用引起；在繼續增大濃度後，我們觀察到了振盪結構力。 / Adsorption of polymers onto solid surfaces has often been used to control interfacial properties including steric stabilization or flocculation, surface modification and biocompatibilization, and lubrication as well as wear properties. In the molecular level, the mechanisms promoting polymer adsorption include attractive van der Waals forces, dipolar of hydrogen-bonding type attraction, electrostatic, or specific chemical interactions with surface binding sites. While a lot of efforts have been devoted in recent years to optimize the surface modification by synthesis of different types of polyelectrolyte brushes or polymers for adsorption, there have been few reports aimed at directly measuring the interaction forces between surfaces covered by the polymers and polyelectrolyte brushes in solution. This is not surprising because the forces of the interaction are extremely weak. / This thesis aims to directly and quantitatively study on the weak interaction between solid surfaces with adsorbed polymers and polyelectrolyte brushes in aqueous solutions. In the first chapter, the interactions between solid surfaces such as the colloidal particles are introduced. Specifically, forces such as depletion, steric repulsion, oscillatory structural forces and polyelectrolyte brushes induced forces are discussed in details. In the second chapter, we discuss about the historical background, development and principles of our recently home-made single particle force microscopy, Total Internal Reflection Microscopy (TIRM). The third chapter focuses on the synthesis of polymer brushes on solid surfaces. In this chapter, various chemical modification methods are covered. / In the fourth chapter, the conformational behavior of polyelectrolyte brushes in different electrolyte environments (NaCl and NaClO₄) has been investigated by directly measuring the interaction energy profile between a 5 m diameter polystyrene (PS) particle with a cationic poly (2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl trimethylammonium chloride) (PMETAC) brush-grafted surface using TIRM. Our results show that ClO₄⁻ anions show strong ion paring with the quaternary ammonium groups on the polymer brushes, leading to what have called hydrophobic collapse where dehydration occurs in addition to pure charge screening. / In the fifth chapter, we applied TIRM to study the pH and ionic strength dependent swelling behavior of surface-grown cationic polyelectrolyte brush, poly((2-dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA). As can be shown by direct force measurements between PDMAEMA grafted glass surface and PEI (polyethylene, Mw: 2000 g / mol) coat PS particle, the interactions are strongly affected by length of polyelectrolyte brush, pH values and salt concentrations. Polymer brushes with two different lengths are studied. For short polymer brushes, the interactions at pH 4.2 are dominated by repulsive forces originating from diffuse layer overlap, in line with the classical theory of Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey, and Overbeek (DLVO). However, with decreasing the pH values, a long-range attraction sets in. For swollen and longer polymer bushes, the interactions are in a good agreement with the DLVO theory at high pH and low ionic strength. However, upon decreasing the pH value or increasing salt concentration, the inte actions show a significant deviation from DLVO theory. Specifically, the interaction between the particle and brushes-grafted surface can be switched reversibly between pure repulsion at pH 4.0, medium attraction at pH 3.6 and strong attraction at pH 3.0. / In the sixth chapter, TIRM was used to directly measure the interaction between a microsphere and a flat hydrophilic surface in the presence of polyethylene oxide (PEO) solution. Our results show that the PEO adsorption onto the solid surfaces is highly concentration dependent: at low polymer concentration, the interactions between two surfaces in the presence of PEO are dominated by repulsive forces originating from diffuse layer overlap; at intermediate polymer concentration, a long range and weak attraction sets in. We attribute the forces to the polymer bridging. While at high polymer concentration, an additional repulsive force is detected, and we believe this is not originated from repulsive depletion. But rather, our results suggest that this may due to the steric repulsion. Finally, at very high concentration, oscillatory structural force is detected. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Wei, Xiaoling. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references. / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts also in Chinese. / 摘要 --- p.i / Abstract --- p.iii / Acknowledgement --- p.vi / Chapter Chapter 1. --- Background and Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1. --- Introduction to colloidal particles interaction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2. --- Polymer induced forces in colloidal systems --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.1. --- Steric repulsion --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.2. --- Bridging interaction and depletion interaction --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2.3. --- Oscillatory structural forces --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2.4. --- Polyelectrolyte brushes induced forces --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3. --- Discussions --- p.11 / Chapter 1.4. --- Works in this thesis --- p.12 / Chapter 1.5. --- References and Notes --- p.13 / Chapter Chapter 2. --- Total Internal Reflection Microscopy (TIRM) --- p.16 / Chapter 2.1. --- Introduction --- p.16 / Chapter 2.2. --- Evanescent wave and total internal reflection --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3. --- Apparatus --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4. --- Data analysis --- p.25 / Chapter 2.5. --- Noise Analysis and Removal --- p.28 / Chapter 2.6. --- Interaction potentials; theory and TIRM measurement results --- p.30 / Chapter 2.7. --- References and Notes --- p.32 / Chapter Chapter 3. --- Surface Initiated Polymerization --- p.35 / Chapter 3.1. --- Introduction --- p.35 / Chapter 3.2. --- Living anionic polymerization --- p.36 / Chapter 3.3. --- Controlled radical polymerization methods --- p.36 / Chapter 3.3.1. --- Nitroxide-mediated polymerization --- p.37 / Chapter 3.3.2. --- Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization --- p.39 / Chapter 3.3.3. --- Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) --- p.42 / Chapter 3.4. --- Experimentals --- p.46 / Chapter 3.5. --- Properties and applications of polymeric brushes --- p.48 / Chapter 3.6. --- References and Notes --- p.49 / Chapter Chapter 4. --- Ion-Induced Hydrophobic Collapse of Surface-Confined Polyelectrolyte Brushes Measured by Total Internal Reflection Microscopy --- p.56 / Chapter 4.1. --- Introduction --- p.56 / Chapter 4.2. --- Experimental Section --- p.58 / Chapter 4.3. --- Results and Discussion --- p.63 / Chapter 4.4. --- Conclusions --- p.75 / Chapter 4.5. --- References and Notes --- p.76 / Chapter Chapter 5. --- Direct Measurement of the Interactions between Polyelectrolyte Brush and Microsphere Studied by Using Total Internal Reflection Microscopy (TIRM) --- p.79 / Chapter 5.1. --- Introduction --- p.79 / Chapter 5.2. --- Experimental Section --- p.82 / Chapter 5.3. --- Results and Discussion --- p.89 / Chapter 5.4. --- Conclusions --- p.104 / Chapter 5.5. --- References and Notes --- p.105 / Chapter Chapter 6. --- Interactions between Solid Surfaces Mediated by Polyethylene Oxide (PEO): Concentration Effects --- p.109 / Chapter 6.1. --- Introduction --- p.109 / Chapter 6.2. --- Experimental Section --- p.112 / Chapter 6.3. --- Results and Discussion --- p.114 / Chapter 6.4. --- Conclusions --- p.126 / Chapter 6.5. --- Reference and Notes --- p.126 / Chapter Appendix --- p.130 / Chapter Experimental Section for the Swelling Ratio Calculation of PDMAEMA Brushes --- p.130 / Chapter References and Notes --- p.137 / List of Publications --- p.138 / Conferences and Symposiums Attended --- p.140

Thesis. 1977. B.S.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ENGINEERING. / Includes bibliographical references. / B.S.

Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Assembly of noble metal nanocrystals gives rise to extraordinary plasmonic properties that are distinct from those of isolated ones. We have prepared clusters that are composed of two-dimensionally-ordered gold nanocubes on flat substrates and investigated their plasmonic properties. It is found that the plasmon resonances of the nanocube clusters are highly dependent on both the number and ordering of the nanocubes in the clusters. FDTD calculations reveal that the rich plasmon modes in the clusters originate from the interparticle couplings in the cluster and the couplings between the entire clusters and the substrate. / I believe that my research work has provided an in-depth fundamental understanding of the localized surface plasmon resonances of gold nanocrystals and will have a number of implications for the applications of metallic nanostructures in optics, optoelectronics, and biotechnology. / Noble metal nanocrystals have attracted much interest due to their rich optical properties, which arise from the localized surface plasmon resonances, the collective oscillations of free electrons confined on the nanoscale. Under resonant excitation by light, noble metal nanocrystals exhibit extremely large light scattering and absorption, as well as large near-field enhancements. These fascinating properties bring about a variety of applications, including plasmonic sensing, plasmonic waveguiding, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, plasmon-enhanced fluorescence, photothermal cancer therapy, and plasmonic-enhanced energy harvesting. Among various noble metal nanocrystals, gold nanocrystals exhibit high chemical stability and large biological compatibility. Moreover, their plasmon resonance wavelengths can be synthetically tuned from the visible to near infrared spectral regions. In this thesis, a systematic study on the localized surface plasmon resonances of gold nanocrystals is presented, both experimentally and theoretically. / Photothermal conversion of gold nanocrystals can be applied in the areas of photothermal polymerization, photothermal imaging, drug release from capsules, and photothermal therapy. We have investigated the photothermal conversion properties of different gold nanocrystals and their composites. The studies show that the plasmon wavelength, particle volume, shell coating, and assembly of gold nanocrystals all play important roles in their photothermal conversion efficiency. / The refractive index sensitivity of gold nanocrystals is a key factor in their practical sensing applications. I will first introduce the systematic studies on the dependence of the index sensitivity on the shapes and sizes of gold nanocrystals that have varying plasmon resonance wavelengths. The index sensitivity has been found to generally increase as the plasmon resonance wavelength for a fixed nanocrystal shape becomes longer and as the curvature of the nanocrystals gets larger. I have further studied the dependence of the index sensitivity on the different shapes of gold nanocrystals that have the same longitudinal plasmon resonance wavelength. The refractive index sensitivities have been found to vary with the nanocrystal shape. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) calculations have been performed on these nanocrystals to reveal the origin of this dependence. A linear relationship is found between the index sensitivity and the product of the electric polarizability with the curvature. On the basis of these studies, a novel plasmonic optical fiber device has further been fabricated to detect small changes in the local dielectric environment. / When fabricating plasmonic devices, such as waveguides, optical switches, plasmonic sensors, and plasmon-enhanced solar cells, one needs to attach metal nanocrystals onto different substrates. The interactions between gold nanocrystals and the substrates can strongly modify the plasmonic responses of the nanocrystals and therefore need to be taken into account when designing of various plasmonic devices. We have further investigated the coupling between gold nanocrystals and substrates with different dielectric properties, including insulating, semiconducting, and metallic ones. It is found that the substrates play an important role in both the scattering patterns and scattering spectra of the supported gold nanocrystals. Specifically, Fano-type resonances can be observed for large nanocrystals sitting on silicon substrates that have a large dielectric constant. / Chen, Huanjun. / Adviser: Jianfang Wang. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-04, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references. / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Kam Yiu-wing. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 200-215). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.iii / Publications --- p.iv / Abbreviations --- p.v / Contents --- p.vii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- G protein-coupled receptors --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- G protein-coupled receptors --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Heterotrimeric G-proteins --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Second messenger systems --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1.5 --- Mechanism of GPCR activation --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.6 --- GPCR cross talk --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2 --- Receptor theory --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Introduction --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Two-state model --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Three-state model --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Extended ternary complex model --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.5 --- Multiple receptor state --- p.13 / Chapter 1.2.6 --- Constitutively active mutant receptors --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3 --- Agonist trafficking --- p.15 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Introduction --- p.15 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Effect of agonist efficacy on receptor coupling --- p.17 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Effect of receptor expression level on receptor coupling --- p.17 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Receptor promiscuity --- p.18 / Chapter 1.3.5 --- Agonist-induced conformational changes --- p.19 / Chapter 1.3.5.1 --- Conformational induction --- p.19 / Chapter 1.3.5.2 --- Conformational selection --- p.19 / Chapter 1.3.6 --- Receptor/G-protein system --- p.20 / Chapter 1.3.7 --- Implication of agonist trafficking --- p.21 / Chapter 1.4 --- Receptor switching --- p.22 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Introduction --- p.22 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Receptor switching --- p.23 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Prostacyclin receptors --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1 --- General properties of prostacyclin --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Synthesis of prostacyclin --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Prostacyclin and its mimetics --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Characterization of IP-receptors --- p.36 / Chapter 2.1.3.1 --- Classification of IP-receptors --- p.36 / Chapter 2.1.3.2 --- Distribution of IP-receptors in the peripheral system --- p.36 / Chapter 2.1.3.3 --- Distribution of IP-receptors in the central nervous system --- p.38 / Chapter 2.1.3.4 --- Structure of IP-receptors --- p.39 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Anti-thrombotic role of prostacyclin --- p.40 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Cytoprotective role of prostacyclin --- p.41 / Chapter 2.1.6 --- Role of prostacyclin in adipogenesis --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2 --- Coupling capacity of IP-receptors --- p.43 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Introduction --- p.43 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Interaction with Gs --- p.44 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Interaction with Gi --- p.45 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Interaction with Gq --- p.45 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Interaction with PPARs --- p.43 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- IP-receptor isoprenylation --- p.49 / Chapter 2.3 --- Regulation of IP-receptors --- p.50 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Mechanism of signal termination --- p.50 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Desensitization of IP-receptors --- p.51 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Internalization of IP-receptors --- p.53 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Materials and solutions --- p.59 / Chapter 3.1 --- Materials --- p.59 / Chapter 3.2 --- "Culture media, buffers and solutions" --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Culture media --- p.63 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Buffers --- p.64 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Solutions --- p.65 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Methods --- p.67 / Chapter 4.1 --- Cell culture --- p.67 / Chapter 4.2 --- Mammalian cell transfection --- p.68 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Preparation of plasmid DNA --- p.68 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Transient transfection of mammalian cells --- p.71 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- β-galactosidase assay --- p.73 / Chapter 4.2.3.1 --- Introduction --- p.73 / Chapter 4.2.3.2 --- Preparation of cell lysate --- p.73 / Chapter 4.2.3.3 --- Micro β-galactosidase assay --- p.73 / Chapter 4.3 --- Measurement of adenylate cyclase activity --- p.74 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- [3H]-adenine prelabelling method --- p.74 / Chapter 4.3.1.1 --- Preparation of columns --- p.74 / Chapter 4.3.1.2 --- Incubation of cells --- p.75 / Chapter 4.3.1.3 --- Measurement of [3H]-cyclic AMP production --- p.75 / Chapter 4.3.1.4 --- Data analysis --- p.76 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- cAMP [125I]-scintillation proximity assay (SPA) --- p.77 / Chapter 4.3.2.1 --- Introduction --- p.77 / Chapter 4.3.2.2 --- Cell lysis method --- p.77 / Chapter 4.3.2.3 --- cAMP [I25I]-scintillation proximity assay --- p.78 / Chapter 4.4 --- Measurement of phospholipase C activity --- p.78 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- Introduction --- p.78 / Chapter 4.4.1.1 --- Preparation of columns --- p.78 / Chapter 4.4.1.2 --- [3H]-inositol phosphate assay --- p.79 / Chapter 4.4.1.3 --- Measurement of [3H]-inositol phosphate production --- p.79 / Chapter 4.4.1.4 --- Data analysis --- p.80 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- "D-myo-Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) [3H] assay system" --- p.81 / Chapter 4.4.2.1 --- Introduction --- p.81 / Chapter 4.4.2.2 --- Sample preparation --- p.81 / Chapter 4.4.2.3 --- "D-myo-Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) [3H] assay system" --- p.82 / Chapter 4.5 --- Measurement of changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration --- p.82 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- Introduction --- p.82 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- Cell preparation --- p.83 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- Measurement of Fura-2 fluorescence --- p.83 / Chapter 4.6 --- Radioligand binding --- p.84 / Chapter 4.6.1 --- Introduction --- p.84 / Chapter 4.6.2 --- [3H]-iloprost ligand binding --- p.85 / Chapter 4.6.3 --- Data analysis --- p.86 / Chapter 4.7 --- Cytotoxicity test using trypan blue exclusion test --- p.86 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Multiple coupling capacity of prostacyclin receptors in CHO cells --- p.88 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.88 / Chapter 5.2 --- Method --- p.88 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.89 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- IP agonist log concentration-response curves for [3H]-cAMP and [3H]-inositol phosphate production in mIP-CHO cells --- p.89 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Effect of varying Gαs cDNA concentration on cicaprost-stimulated [3H]-cAMP and [3H]-inositol phosphate production in mlP-CHO cells --- p.90 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Effect of varying Gαq cDNA concentration on cicaprost-stimulated [3H]-cAMP and [3H]-inositol phosphate production in mlP-CHO cells --- p.92 / Chapter 5.4 --- Conclusion --- p.95 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Multiple coupling capacity of prostacyclin receptors in neuroblastoma cells --- p.113 / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.113 / Chapter 6.2 --- Method --- p.114 / Chapter 6.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.114 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Characterization of prostanoid receptors in SK-N-SH cells --- p.114 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Property of IP-receptor signaling in SK-N-SH cells --- p.116 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- Effect of Gαq subunits on PLC activation in SK-N-SH cells --- p.117 / Chapter 6.3.4 --- Coupling capacity of IP-receptorin rat/mouse neuroblastoma (NG108-15) cells --- p.119 / Chapter 6.4 --- Conclusion --- p.123 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Agonist trafficking --- p.133 / Chapter 7.1 --- Introduction --- p.133 / Chapter 7.2 --- Method --- p.134 / Chapter 7.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.134 / Chapter 7.3.1 --- Simultaneous measurement of AC and PLC activation in metabolically-labelled mIP-CHO cells --- p.134 / Chapter 7.3.1.1 --- Effect of IBMX on PLC activation --- p.135 / Chapter 7.3.1.2 --- Effect of Li+ ion on AC activation --- p.135 / Chapter 7.3.1.3 --- Separation of [3H]-adenine and [3H]-inositol using column chromatography method --- p.136 / Chapter 7.3.2 --- Measurement of AC and PLC activation using different assay systems --- p.137 / Chapter 7.3.2.1 --- cAMP 125I-Scintillation Proximity Assay System --- p.137 / Chapter 7.3.2.2 --- "D-myo-Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) [3H]-assay system" --- p.138 / Chapter 7.4 --- Conclusion --- p.139 / Chapter Chapter 8 --- Regulation of prostacyclin receptor coupling --- p.147 / Chapter 8.1 --- Introduction --- p.147 / Chapter 8.2 --- Methods --- p.149 / Chapter 8.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.150 / Chapter 8.3.1 --- Role of protein kinases on IP-receptor activity --- p.150 / Chapter 8.3.2 --- Effect of SQ22536 on IP-receptor activity --- p.155 / Chapter 8.3.3 --- Role of PKA phosphorylation site in mIP-receptor activity --- p.156 / Chapter 8.4 --- Conclusion --- p.157 / Chapter Chapter 9 --- Prostacyclin receptor isoprenylation --- p.171 / Chapter 9.1 --- Introduction --- p.171 / Chapter 9.2 --- Method --- p.172 / Chapter 9.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.173 / Chapter 9.4 --- Conclusion --- p.175 / Chapter Chapter 10 --- IP/DP chimeric receptors --- p.178 / Chapter 10.1 --- Introduction --- p.178 / Chapter 10.2 --- Method --- p.179 / Chapter 10.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.180 / Chapter 10.3.1 --- Property of IP/DP chimeric receptors --- p.180 / Chapter 10.3.2 --- "ID1 chimeric receptor mutant receptors (M4, M5, M6)" --- p.182 / Chapter 10.3.3 --- "Mutant mIP-receptors (Ml, M2, M3)" --- p.183 / Chapter 10.3.4 --- Comparison between M5 and ID1 receptors --- p.184 / Chapter 10.4 --- Conclusion --- p.184 / Chapter Chapter 11 --- General Discussion and Conclusions --- p.193 / Chapter 11.1 --- Introduction --- p.193 / Chapter 11.2 --- Multiple coupling capacity of prostacyclin receptors --- p.193 / Chapter 11.3 --- Factors influencing prostacyclin receptor coupling --- p.196 / Chapter 11.4 --- Prostacyclin receptor cross talk and regulation --- p.198 / References --- p.200

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