Vertical quantum dots at high magnetic fields beyond the few-electron limit

We describe phenomena that can be studied in vertical quantum dot single electron transistors. Moving from the few-electron to the several- and many-electron regimes, features in the conductance peaks initially related to spin polarization evolve with magnetic field. This allows us to first probe the spin-flip region beyond the last single-particle crossing at low field, and then the formation and stability of the spin-polarized maximum density droplet at high field. According to a simple capacitance model, charge redistribution in the dot at higher magnetic fields is accompanied by abrupt changes in the area of the droplet.