Monte Carlo Fourier path integral methods in chemical dynamics

Monte Carlo Fourier path integral methods are discussed, both with respect to their use for equilibrium statistical mechanics and to their use in chemical dynamics. It is argued that such techniques offer a practical, direct route to complex temperature density matrix elements necessary to implement recent quantum reactive flux formalisms. Applications to a one-dimensional test problem (the Eckart barrier) are discussed. A simple (classical) approximation scheme involving a temperature-dependent effective potential is also considered.