  In this work, we have investigated conduction through an artificial molecule
comprising two coupled quantum dots. The question addressed is the role of
inter-dot coupling on electronic transport. We find that the current through
the molecule exhibits step-like features as a function of the voltage between
the leads, where the step size increases as the inter-dot coupling is
increased. These step-like features disappear with increasing tunneling rate
from the leads, but we find that in the presence of coupling, this smooth
behavior is not observed rather two kinks are seen in the current voltage
curve. This shows that the resolution of the two levels persists if there is
finite inter-dot coupling. Furthermore, we also consider the effects of
electron-phonon interaction as well as dissipation on conduction in this
system. Phononic side bands in the differential conductance survive for finite
inter-dot coupling even for strong lead to molecule coupling.
