Quantum dot in high magnetic fields: Correlated tunneling of electrons probes the spin configuration at the edge of the dot - art. no. 033302

Quantum dot systems with a large number of electrons (approximate to 50) de fined in a two-dimensional electron system (2DES) show a striking regularit y in the occurrence of split Kondo peaks in the differential conductance as a function of the electron number and the magnetic field applied perpendic ularly to the plane of the 2DES. The observations are consistent with the w ell-known redistribution of electrons from the core to the edge of the quan tum dot with increasing magnetic field leading to a sequence of paired and unpaired spin configurations at the edge of the quantum dot. The results de monstrate the importance of the tunnel coupling of different electronic sta tes to the leads for the observation of the Kondo effect.