We study the ground state properties of rectangular quantum dots by using the spin-density-functional theory and quantum Monte Carlo methods. The dot geometry is determined by an infinite hard-wall potential to enable comparison to manufactured, rectangular-shaped quantum dots. We show that the electronic structure is very sensitive to the deformation, and at realistic sizes the non-interacting picture determines the general behavior. However, close to the degenerate points where Hund's rule applies, we find spin-density-wave-like solutions bracketing the partially polarized states. In the quasi-one-dimensional limit we find permanent charge-density waves, and at a sufficiently large deformation or low density, there are strongly localized stable states with a broken spin-symmetry.

8 pages, 9 figures, submitted to PRB