  The conformational behavior of a coarse-grained finite polymer chain near an
attractive spherical surface was investigated by means of multicanonical Monte
Carlo computer simulations. In a detailed analysis of canonical equilibrium
data over a wide range of sphere radius and temperature, we have constructed
entire phase diagrams both for non-grafted and end-grafted polymers.
  For the identification of the conformational phases, we have calculated
several energetic and structural observables such as gyration tensor based
shape parameters and their fluctuations by canonical statistical analysis.
  Despite the simplicity of our model, it qualitatively represents in the
considered parameter range real systems that are studied in experiments. The
work dicussed here could have experimental implications from protein-ligand
interactions to designing nano smart materials.
