Time resolved single electron detection in a quantum dot

Abstract

We have performed transport measurements on a composite nanostructure, consisting of a quantum dot and a nearby quantum point contact (QPC) used as a charge detector. For very low coupling of the dot to only one of the reservoirs and no coupling to the other one, we observe time‐dependent features related to electron tunneling onto the dot and back to the reservoir. The transition frequencies visible in the QPC signal are of the order of only a few Hz. From these time‐dependent data, the Fermi distribution in the lead and the temperature can be extracted, as well as the coupling to the reservoir.