Dissipative Dynamics of Quantum Vortices in Superconducting Arrays

We consider a two-dimensional array of ultra-small superconducting grains, weakly coupled by Josephson junctions with large charging energy. We start from an effective action based on a microscopic tunneling Hamiltonian, which includes quasiparticle degrees of freedom, and study the resulting dissipative dynamics of quantum vortices. The equation of motion for a single vortex is deduced, and compared with a commonly adopted phenomenological model.