Quantum tunneling of vortex lines

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Abstract
The quantum tunneling of vortices in superconductors and superfluids is discussed. Inertial effects are shown to be generally negligible. The equation of motion of a vortex line in two dimensions can then be written in Hamiltonian form and this leads to a natural method for quantization of the motion. Using a simple model we discuss quantum tunneling in clean and dirty superconductors. Expressions which interpolate between the clean and dirty cases and the quantum and classical regimes at low and high temperatures are obtained for the tunneling action.