We systematically study the coupling of longitudinal modes (shells) in a
carbon nanotube quantum dot. Inelastic cotunneling spectroscopy is used to
probe the excitation spectrum in parallel, perpendicular and rotating magnetic
fields. The data is compared to a theoretical model including coupling between
shells, induced by atomically sharp disorder in the nanotube. The calculated
excitation spectra show good correspondence with experimental data.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure
