Stability of the maximum density droplet in quantum dots at high magnetic fields

We have measured electron transport through a vertical quantum dot containing a tunable number of electrons between 0 and 40. Over some region in magnetic field the electrons are spin polarized and occupy successive angular momentum states, i.e. the maximum density droplet (MDD) state. The stability region where the MDD state is the ground state, decreases for increasing electron number. The instability of the MDD is accompanied by a redistribution of charge which increases the area of the electron droplet.