A model for vortex nucleation in the Ginzburg-Landau equations

This paper studies questions related to the dynamic transition between local and global minimizers in the Ginzburg-Landau theory of superconductivity. We derive a heuristic equation governing the dynamics of vortices that are close to the boundary, and of dipoles with small inter vortex separation. We consider a small random perturbation of this equation, and study the asymptotic regime under which vortices nucleate.