Dephasing times in closed quantum dots

Dephasing of one-particle states in closed quantum dots is analyzed within the framework of random matrix theory and the master equation. The combination of this analysis with recent experiments on the magnetoconductance allows, for the first time, the evaluation of the dephasing times of closed quantum dots. These dephasing times turn out to be dependent on the mean level spacing and significantly enhanced as compared with the case of open dots. Moreover, the experimental data available are consistent with the prediction that the dephasing of one-particle states in finite closed systems disappears at low enough energies and temperatures.