Bound state-continuum resonance transition in a shallow quantum well

Abstract

We show a transition from a bound state to a continuum resonance in a shallow quantum well (QW) by electrostatic gating to bend the conduction band edge. This bound state-continuum resonance (BSCR) transition is particularly relevant in topological quantum computing platforms where shallow InAs QWs are used. We predict the observed capacitance jump and the parallel metal-insulator transition accompanied the BSCR transition. An experimental puzzle in shallow InAs QWs is the mobility drop at an electron density smaller than expected for the bound-state second subband occupation. We explain this puzzle as a result of intersubband scattering involving a level-broadened continuum resonance, mediated by screened Coulomb impurities.