VORTEX DYNAMICS IN SUPERFLUIDS AND THE BERRY PHASE

There is a close analogy between the dynamics of electrons in a strong magnetic field and the dynamics of quantized vortices in superfluids and superconductors. In both systems an important part is played by a term in the Lagrangian linear in velocity that corresponds to a Berry phase in the quantum theory. This Berry phase can be calculated from t he usual trial wave function for a vortex. This has important conseque nces for quantum tunnelling of vortices, and leads unambiguously to th e form of the Magnus force in a superconductor.