Background: The reach of ab initio theory has greatly increased in recent decades. However, predicting the location of the drip lines remains challenging due to uncertainties in nuclear forces and difficulties in describing nuclei that behave as open quantum systems.

Purpose: In this work, we extend the ab initio Gamow density matrix renormalization group (G-DMRG) approach to the regime of broad many-body resonances to pave the way for systematic tests of nuclear forces in light exotic nuclei.

Methods: To stabilize calculations, we introduce a new truncation scheme in the reference space and propose an orbital ordering based on entanglement considerations. We then show how continuum couplings increase entanglement in the many-body problem and propose a new truncation scheme to stabilize the renormalization and accelerate calculations in extreme conditions. Finally, we demonstrate that natural orbitals can be used to efficiently describe broad resonances by introducing a new ordering scheme and by redefining the reference space based on occupations.

Results: Leveraging our findings, we propose a recipe to converge ab initio G-DMRG calculations and apply it in low-lying states of ${}^{5,6}\mathrm{He}$ and ${}^4\mathrm{H}$, demonstrating control of the renormalization and the emergence of convergence patterns. We also obtain the first direct ab initio calculation of the $J^{\pi }={1/2}^{+}$ ground state of ${}^5\mathrm{H}$.

Conclusions: We demonstrate that entanglement due to continuum couplings can be controlled in extreme conditions and successfully extend the G-DMRG approach in the regime of broad many-body resonances.

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• Nuclear structure & decays
• Ab initio calculations