Quantum effects in Coulomb blockade

We review the quantum interference effects in a system of interacting electrons confined to a quantum dot. The review starts with a description of an isolated quantum dot. We discuss the random matrix theory (RMT) of the one-electron states in the dot, present the universal form of the interaction Hamiltonian compatible with the RMT, and derive the leading corrections to the universal interaction Hamiltonian. Next, we discuss a theoretical description of a dot connected to leads via point contacts. Having established the theoretical framework to describe such an open system, we discuss its transport and thermodynamic properties. We review the evolution of the transport properties with the increase of the contact conductances from small values to values similar to e(2)/pih. In the discussion of transport, the emphasis is put on mesoscopic fluctuations and the Kondo effect in the conductance. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.