Semiconductor heterostructures to reduce short channel effects are generally described. In one example, an apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate, one or more buffer layers coupled to the semiconductor substrate, a first barrier layer coupled to the one or more buffer layers, a back gate layer coupled to the first barrier layer wherein the back gate layer includes a group III-V semiconductor material, a group II-VI semiconductor material, or combinations thereof, the back gate layer having a first bandgap, a second barrier layer coupled to the back gate layer wherein the second barrier layer includes a group III-V semiconductor material, a group II-VI semiconductor material, or combinations thereof, the second barrier layer having a second bandgap that is relatively larger than the first bandgap, and a quantum well channel coupled to the second barrier layer, the quantum well channel having a third bandgap that is relatively smaller than the second bandgap.