The mixed quantum-classical Liouville equation is derived from a semiclassi
cal perspective starting from the full quantum Schrodinger equation. An asy
mptotic numerical scheme for solving the equation is discussed which relies
on propagating swarms of interacting "threads" which represent the density
matrix or other observable. It is demonstrated that this "multithreads" me
thod performs extremely well on simple one-dimensional model systems design
ed to test nonadiabatic molecular dynamic methods, yielding essentially exa
ct results for a variety of models. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics.
[S0021-9606(00)71441-3].