Strongly capacitively coupled quantum dots

Double quantum dots were formed in a gated GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure with negligible interdot tunneling; strong capacitive coupling was provided by a floating interdot capacitor. The interdot capacitance was measured to be 0.28C(Sigma), where C-Sigma is the single-dot capacitance. Coulomb blockade conductance images for both dots versus side gate voltages at 70 mK show a hexagonal pattern of peaks; the double dot acts as a single-electron current switch. For weak tunneling, the conductance peaks of both dots fit thermally broadened line shapes. Charge fluctuations produced by strong tunneling on one dot are induced on the second, filling in its peak splitting. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.