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 repeated cycling of the occupation of current-carrying states due to the capacitive coupling to trap states. In agreement with recent experiments, it results in characteristic asymmetric Coulomb-blockade peaks as well as sawtooth and domelike structures. Temperature introduces asymmetric smearing of these features and correlations in the conductance provide a fingerprint of charge sensing.