Optically probing spin and charge interactions in a tunable artificial molecule

We optically probe and electrically control a single artificial molecule containing a well defined number of electrons. Charge and spin dependent interdot quantum couplings are probed optically by adding a single electron-hole pair and detecting the emission from negatively charged exciton states. Coulomb- and Pauli-blockade effects are directly observed, and tunnel coupling and electrostatic charging energies are independently measured. The interdot quantum coupling is shown to be mediated by electron tunneling. Our results are in excellent accord with calculations that provide a complete picture of negative excitons and few-electron states in quantum dot molecules.