We propose modifications to the simple diffusion Monte Carlo algorithm
that greatly reduce the time-step error. The improved algorithm has a
time-step error smaller by a factor of 70 to 300 in the energy of Be,
Li2 and Ne. For other observables the improvement is yet larger. The
effective time step possible with the improved algorithm is typically
a factor of a few hundred larger than the time step used in domain Gre
en function Monte Carlo. We also present an optimized 109 parameter tr
ial wave function for Be which, used in combination with our algorithm
, yields an exceedingly accurate ground state energy. A simple solutio
n to the population control bias in diffusion Monte Carlo is also disc
ussed.