Transport properties of quantum dots in the Wigner molecule regime

The transport properties of quantum dots with up to N=7 electrons ranging from a weak to a strong interacting regime are investigated via the projected Hartree-Fock technique. As interactions increase radial order develops in the dot, with the formation of ring and centred-ring structures. Subsequently, angular correlations appear, signalling the formation of a Wigner molecule state.

We show striking signatures of the emergence of Wigner molecules, detected in transport. In the linear regime, conductance is exponentially suppressed as the interaction strength grows. A further suppression is observed when centred-ring structures develop, or peculiar spin textures appear. In the nonlinear regime, the formation of molecular states may even lead to a conductance enhancement.