Soft dipole mode in ¹¹Li and three body continuum

Properties of the neutron rich $^{11}$Li nucleus are calculated in the framework of the cluster model $^{9}$Li $+n+n$. The formalism of the harmonic oscillator representation of the scattering theory is used for the description of bound and continuum spectrum states in the three-body-democratic-decay approximation. It is shown that this approach allows one to take into account adequately the long asymptotic tail of the $^{11}$Li wave function ({\em neutron halo}) and to reproduce correctly the binding energy, radius and $^{11}$Li electromagnetic dissociation cross-section on target nuclei. The shape and the energy position of the $B(E1)$ peak corresponding to the soft dipole mode are also in agreement with experiment.