Avoided level crossings, diabolic points, and branch points in the complex plane in an open double quantum dot.

We study the spectrum of an open double quantum dot as a function of different system parameters in order to receive information on the geometric phases of branch points in the complex plane (BPCP). We relate them to the geometrical phases of the diabolic points (DPs) of the corresponding closed system. The double dot consists of two single dots and a wire connecting them. The two dots and the wire are represented by only a single state each. The spectroscopic values follow from the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the Hamiltonian describing the double dot system. They are real when the system is closed, and complex when the system is opened by attaching leads to it. The discrete states as well as the narrow resonance states avoid crossing. The DPs are points within the avoided level crossing scenario of discrete states. At the BPCP, width bifurcation occurs. Here, different Riemann sheets evolve and the levels do not cross anymore. The BPCP are physically meaningful. The DPs are unfolded into two BPCP with different chirality when the system is opened. The geometric phase that arises by encircling the DP in the real plane, is different from the phase that appears by encircling the BPCP. This is found to be true even for a weakly opened system and the two BPCP into which the DP is unfolded.