We consider resonant transmission through a gated finite-length quantum wire connected to leads via finite-transparency junctions, such that the escape time is much smaller than the energy relaxation time in the wire. The coherent electron transport is strongly modified by the Coulomb interaction. The low-temperature current-voltage $\left(IV\right)$ curves show steplike dependence on the bias voltage determined by the distance between the quantum levels inside the conductor, the pattern being dependent on the ratio between the charging energy and level spacing. If the system is tuned close to the resonance condition by the gate voltage, the low-voltage $IV$ curve is ohmic. At large Coulomb energy and low temperatures, the conductance is temperature independent for any relationship between temperature, level spacing, and coupling between the wire and the leads.

• Received 25 August 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.79.035319