Two coupled quantum dots with a continuous density of states

We have studied tunnelling between two quantum dots with a continuous densi ty of states. The Coulomb blockade oscillations show a double peak structur e when the transmission between the dots is below unity. This peak-splittin g is described in terms of the electrostatic interaction between the two do ts using a classical capacitance description. This model neglects charge fl uctuations due to tunnel events between the dots. We compare the temperatur e dependence of the split-peaks with a recent theory that does include char ge fluctuations, (C) 1998 Academic Press.