  Numerical simulation of individual open quantum systems has proven advantages
over density operator computations. Quantum state diffusion with a moving basis
(MQSD) provides a practical numerical simulation method which takes full
advantage of the localization of quantum states into wave packets occupying
small regions of classical phase space. Following and extending the original
proposal of Percival, Alber and Steimle, we show that MQSD can provide a
further gain over ordinary QSD and other quantum trajectory methods of many
orders of magnitude in computational space and time. Because of these gains, it
is even possible to calculate an open quantum system trajectory when the
corresponding isolated system is intractable. MQSD is particularly advantageous
where classical or semiclassical dynamics provides an adequate qualitative
picture but is numerically inaccurate because of significant quantum effects.
The principles are illustrated by computations for the quantum Duffing
oscillator and for second harmonic generation in quantum optics. Potential
applications in atomic and molecular dynamics, quantum circuits and quantum
computation are suggested.
