Initial value representation for the classical propagator and S-matrix with the help of coherent states

This Letter demonstrates how coherent states can be used to construct an initial value representation for the propagator and classical S-matrix. Advantage is taken of the fact that the coherent state 'coordinate' describes trajectories in phase space, resulting in an unusual structure for the propagator. The method, which avoids the usual stability analysis, is successfully applied to nonreactive atom-diatom scattering. (C) 1998. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.