Spin-orbit effects on resonant tunneling conductance through a double-quantum-dot system

Spin-orbit interaction in a laterally coupled double-quantum-dot system modifies both the energy spectra and the corresponding wavefunctions. These modifications introduce new features in the resonant tunneling measurements. There are new spin-orbit-induced peaks in the resonant conductance versus energy dependence. The widths and the shapes of the peaks are determined by the strength of the coupling between the states of the quantum dots. The coupling occurs through the continuous states of the leads. The width of the higher energy peak in the spin-orbit tunneling doublet is larger than the width of the lower energy peak. Spin-orbit coupling also introduces an additional interference, which results in an anti-resonant behavior of the tunneling current. We also report on our study of the interplay between the spin-orbit effects and the direct tunneling between quantum dots.