Quantum phases in artificial molecules

The few-particle state of carriers confined in a quantum dot is controlled by the balance between their kinetic energy and their Coulomb correlation. In coupled quantum dots, both can be tuned by varying the inter-dot tunneling and interactions. Using a theoretical approach based on the diagonalization of the exact Hamiltonian, we show that the transitions between different quantum phases can be induced through the inter-dot coupling both for a system of few electrons (or holes) and for aggregates of electrons and holes. We discuss their manifestations, in addition energy spectra (accessible through capacitance or transport experiments) and optical spectra. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.