  We develop a theoretical description of transport through quantum dots
connected to reservoirs via spin-polarized ballistic contacts. Rate equations
account for spin accumulation inside the dot, electron-electron interactions,
and stochastic fluctuations. It is shown that both the ac response (admittance)
and the frequency-dependent shot noise are governed by spin-flip scattering,
which can be used to detect spin polarization and spin-flip processes in the
dot.
