Theory of charge sensing in quantum-dot structures

Charge sensing in quantum-dot structures is studied by an exactly solvable reduced model and numerical density-matrix renormalization group methods. Charge sensing is characterized by the repeated cycling of the occupation of current-carrying states due to the capacitive coupling to trap states which are weakly coupled to the leads. In agreement with recent experiments, it results in a variety of characteristic behaviors ranging from asymmetric Coulomb-blockade peaks to sawtooth- and dome-like structures. Temperature introduces distinct asymmetric smearing of these features and correlations in the conductance provide a fingerprint of charge-sensing behavior.