Nonlinear transport properties of quantum dots

The influence of excited levels on nonlinear transport properties of a quantum dot weakly coupled to leads is studied using a master-equation approach. A charging model for the dot is compared with a quantum mechanical model for interacting electrons. The currentvoltage curve shows Coulomb lockade and additional finestructure that is related to the excited states of the correlated electrons. Unequal coupling to the leads causes asymmetric conductance peaks. Negative differential conductances are predicted due to the existence of excited states with different spins.