Shell-model description of weakly bound and unbound nuclear states

A consistent description of weakly bound and unbound nuclei requires an accurate description of the particle continuum properties when carrying out multiconfiguration mixing. This is the domain of the Gamow Shell Model (GSM) which is the multiconfigurational shell model in the complex k-plane formulated using a complete Berggren ensemble representing bound single-particle (s.p.) states, s.p. resonances, and non-resonant complex energy continuum states. We shall discuss the salient features of effective interactions in weakly bound systems and show selected applications of the GSM formalism to p-shell nuclei. Finally, a development of the new non-perturbative scheme based on Density Matrix Renormalization Group methods to select the most significant continuum configurations in GSM calculations will be discussed shortly.