Electrons and vortex lines in He II. I. Brownian motion theory of capture and escape

Abstract

The Brownian motion theory of capture and escape in the form given by L. Onsager in 1934 is applied to the interaction of electrons and vortex lines in He II. Precise results are obtained to lowest order in the external field strength and certain misconceptions are clarified, laying the foundation for a reliable analysis of the available experimental data.