Maximum-density droplet and charge redistributions in quantum dots at highmagnetic fields

We have measured electron transport through a vertical quantum dot containi ng a tunable number (between 0 and 40) of electrons. Over a region of the m agnetic field the electrons are spin polarized and occupy successive angula r momentum states. This is the maximum-density-droplet (MDD) state. The sta bility region where the MDD is the ground state decreases for increasing el ectron number. The instability of the MDD and other transitions in this hig h B region are accompanied by a redistribution of charge which abruptly cha nges the area of the electron droplet. [S0031-9007(99)08873-0].