Kondo effect in quantum dots coupled to ferromagnetic electrodes

The Kondo effects in transport through a quantum dot (QD) coupled to ferromagnetic leads are shown to be modified by the spin polarization of the electrodes, For parallel alignment of the magnetization of the leads the zero-bias anomaly in the differential conductance is split even in the absence of an external magnetic field. For antiparallel alignment the peaks are split only in the presence of a magnetic filed, but show a characteristic asymmetry. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.