Strongly correlated wavefunctions for artificial atoms and molecules

A method for constructing semianalytical strongly correlated wavefunctions for single and molecular quantum dots (QDs) is presented. It employs a two-step approach of symmetry breaking at the Hartree-Fock level and of subsequent restoration of total spin and angular momentum symmetries via projection techniques. Illustrative applications are presented for the case of a two-electron helium-like single QD and a hydrogen-like QD molecule.