General theory of constructing potential with bound states in the continuum

Abstract: We present a general theory of potentials that support bound states at positive energies (bound states in the continuum). On the theoretical side, we prove that, for systems described by nonlocal potentials of the form $V(r,r')$, bound states at positive energies are as common as those at negative energies. At the same time, we show that a local potential of the form $V(r)$ rarely supports a positive energy bound state. On the practical side, we show how to construct a (naturally nonlocal) potential which supports an arbitrary normalizable state at an arbitrary positive energy. We demonstrate our theory with numerical examples both in momentum and coordinate spaces with emphasis on the important role played by nonlocal potentials. Finally, we discuss how to observe bound states at positive energies, and where to search for nonlocal potentials which may support them.