In this paper, we describe the application of our recently developed multis
tate semiclassical Liouville equation method for modeling molecular dynamic
s on multiple coupled electronic states [C. C. Martens and J.-Y. Fang, J. C
hem. Phys. 106, 4918 (1997); A. Donoso and C. C. Martens, J. Phys. Chem. 10
2, 4291 (1998)] to problems where electronic coherence effects play a domin
ant role. We consider a model problem involving the simultaneous evolution
of wave packets on two coupled electronic states. We analyze the problem qu
alitatively from both quantum and semiclassical perspectives using perturba
tion theory, and identify the roles played by coupling strength and relativ
e phase of the initial wave packets. We then perform trajectory-based simul
ations on a two-state one-dimensional model problem and compare the results
with those of exact quantum calculations. In marked contrast with most cur
rent methods for modeling nonadiabatic dynamics with classical trajectories
, the semiclassical Liouville method is found to be capable of treating eve
n dominant electronic coherence effects in a consistent and accurate manner
. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-9606(00)01417-3].