Surviving conduction symmetries in non-linear response

In linear response, the electric conductance of mesoscopic, two-terminal devices is symmetric with respect to the direction of an external magnetic field. The conductance symmetry, in general, breaks down in the non-linear regime of transport. Here we consider semiconductor quantum dots and show certain symmetries survive in the non-linear conductance with respect to the bias voltage and magnetic field that can be measured. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd