2044 2000 eng 2605 4 62 article 0 -- -- -- We present ground-state calculations for laterally coupled quantum dots containing 2, 4, and 8 electrons. As our emphasis is on spin effects our results are obtained by applying spin-density functional theory (SDFT). By varying the distance between the centers of the coupled quantum dots, the transition from weak to strong coupling situation is realized. For the 2-electron system we also apply the Heitler-London approximation and analytical concepts to check the reliability of SDFT calculations in this case. In addition we discuss the features of the Coulomb staircase of laterally coupled quantum dots in the weak and strong coupling regimes in comparison to that of a circular parabolic quantum dot. Physical Review B 10.1103/PhysRevB.62.2605 peer-reviewed Andreas Wensauer Oliver Steffens Michael Suhrke Ulrich Rössler Physik Fakultät Angewandte Natur- und Kulturwissenschaften Externe Publikationen Labor Bauphysik Materialien und Produktion