Abstract

A quantum dot (QD) coupled to topological quantum wires is fertile ground to explore the physical properties of Majorana bound states (MBSs). We consider a single-level QD and a MBS, both coupled to an electron reservoir with a continuum energy spectrum. By increasing the coupling between the MBS and the metallic contact, the MBS leaks into the continuum, modifying the local spectral properties of the QD either in the noninteracting or the Coulomb blockade regimes. Surprisingly, regardless of the strength of the coupling between the MBS and the continuum, the Majorana states always appear as a bound state, as long as the QD level is resonant with the Fermi level. By applying a gate voltage in the system, we can control the QD level position while leaving the MBS pinned to the Fermi level. This provide an interesting way to explore the physical properties of this peculiar bound state in the continuum.