Three-cluster description of properties of light neutron- and proton-rich nuclei in the framework of the algebraic version of the resonating group method

A three-cluster microscopic approach to description of the properties of light atomic nuclei (algebraic version of the resonating group method) is presented. The approach is based on the application of oscillator functions for determination of the wave functions of each cluster and expansion of the function of relative cluster motion. Those applications of the method that are related to the study of the properties of states of the discrete and continuous spectra of neutron- and proton-rich He-6, He-8, Be-6, H-5 nuclei and fusion reactions H-3(H-2, 2n)He-4 and He-3(He-3, 2p)He-4 are mainly considered. Technical issues of calculations are discussed to the extent necessary for understanding the presented material. The main attention is concentrated on the presentation of physical results, their comparison with experimental data, and results obtained in other theoretical approaches. Problems associated with the role of the Pauli principle, convergence of numerical results, and approximations made in the course of calculations are also discussed in sufficient detail.