Spin effects and transport in quantum dots with overlapping resonances

The role of spin is investigated in the transport through a quantum dot with two overlapping resonances [one having a width larger than the level separation and the other very narrow, cf. Silvestrov and Imry, Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 2565 (2000)]. For a series of consecutive charging resonances, one electron from the leads populates one and the same broad level in the dot. Moreover, there is the tendency to occupy the same level also by the second electron within the same resonance. This second electron is taken from the narrow levels in the dot. The narrow levels are populated (and broad level is depopulated) via sharp rearrangements of the electronic configuration in the Coulomb blockade valleys. Possible experimental manifestations of this scenario are considered. Among these there are sharp features in the valleys and in the mixed-valence regime and an unusual Kondo effect.