  Calculations in the ab initio no-core shell model (NCSM) have conventionally
been carried out using the harmonic-oscillator many-body basis. However, the
rapid falloff (Gaussian asymptotics) of the oscillator functions at large
radius makes them poorly suited for the description of the asymptotic
properties of the nuclear wavefunction. We establish the foundations for
carrying out no-core configuration interaction (NCCI) calculations using a
basis built from general radial functions and discuss some of the
considerations which enter into using such a basis. In particular, we consider
the Coulomb-Sturmian basis, which provides a complete set of functions with a
realistic (exponential) radial falloff.
