Density matrix renormalization group study of the charging of a quantum dot strongly coupled to a single lead

Abstract

A new application of the density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) method to a system composed of an interacting dot coupled to a infinite one dimensional lead is presented. This method enables one to study the influence of the coupling to an external lead on the thermodynamical properties of the dot. It is shown that this method reproduces known results for a non-interacting dot coupled to a lead, i.e., that for strong coupling discrete states remain in the dot. We show that these states are robust and do not disappear once interactions in the dot are considered. Moreover, due to these discrete states, Coulomb blockade affects the charging of the dot even though its strongly coupled to a lead.