VORTEX FILAMENT DYNAMICS IN PLASMAS AND SUPERCONDUCTORS

The dynamical description of a thin vortex filament in a perfect fluid is generalized to a charged fluid on a neutralizing background. The f ilament curvature and torsion evolve integrably according to a higher nonlinear Schrodinger equation, which is found using the Hasimoto tran sformation. Because of screening, local induction is accurate, and the logarithmic long-range divergency is removed. Linear waves, such as t he Kelvin mode, are supported by the filament, as well as nonlinear wa ves and solitons. The effects of vortex stretching are briefly discuss ed. Applications of the results are found in electron magnetohydrodyna mics and in type II superconductor theory.