Electron Transport through Double Quantum Dots with Interdot Coulomb Repulsion

Electron transport through a system of two quantum dots connected in series is studied theoretically with the use of non-equilibrium Green function formalism based on the equation of motion method. Each dot is described by the one-level Anderson Hamiltonian and interdot Coulomb interactions in the form of the Hubbard-like term are taken into account. The electric current and occupation numbers are calculated with the use of two different approaches. The results of the methods are compared and discussed in detail. Strong asymmetry of I-V characteristics with respect to bias voltage reversal are obtained when energy levels of the dots are not aligned.