Energy spectra, electron densities, pair-correlation functions, and heat capacity of quantum-dot lithium in zero external magnetic field (a system of three interacting two-dimensional electrons in a parabolic confinement potential) are studied using the exact diagonalization approach. Particular attention is given to a Fermi liquid-Wigner solid crossover in the ground state of the dot, induced by intradot Coulomb interaction.

• Received 27 June 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.65.115312