Detailed Balance in Quantum Dot Tunneling

Abstract: Previously recorded data of electron tunneling in and out of a quantum dot (QD) is used to extract knowledge of the state of the system. Using the detailed balance of the system, it is shown that information about the electron temperature in the lead Te, as well as knowledge about the degeneracies of the states in a quantum dot can be obtained from measurements of the tunneling rates in and out of the QD. Combining the measurements of the tunneling rates with temperature measurements of the surrounding environment Td, the lever arm of the system is determined. It is shown that knowing the lever arm Te can be directly measured. A dependence of the lever arm on the filling of the quantum dot N is also observed.