Low temperature transport through a quantum dot: finite-U results and scaling behavior

We calculate the conductance through a quantum dot weakly coupled to metallic leads, modeled by the spin-1/2 Anderson model with finite Coulomb repulsion $U$. We adopt the non-crossing approximation method in its finite-$U$ extension (UNCA). Our results can be compared to those obtained with the exact numerical renormalization group method, and good agreement is found both in the high temperature (Coulomb blockade) and in the low temperature (Kondo) regime. We analyze the scaling properties of the low temperature conductance, and calculate the universal function which describes the electronic transport in the Kondo regime. Very good agreement with recent experimental results is found. Finally, we suggest a simple interpolating function which fits fairly well the calculated conductance in a broad temperature range.