Counting statistics and decoherence in coupled quantum dots

Abstract

We theoretically consider charge transport through two quantum dots coupled in series. The corresponding full counting statistics for noninteracting electrons is investigated in the limits of sequential and coherent tunneling by means of a master equation approach and a density matrix formalism, respectively. We clearly demonstrate the effect of quantum coherence on the zero-frequency cumulants of the transport process, focusing on noise and skewness. Moreover, we establish the continuous transition from the coherent to the incoherent tunneling limit in all cumulants of the transport process and compare this with decoherence described by a dephasing voltage probe model.