Kinetics of state switching in a disordered linear system

The Kolmogorov approach is used to describe the transition from the metastable to the stable state of a linear system, as a statistical process of multiple formations of nuclei of a new state and their merging. Within the framework of the model of a random-force field decelerating the motion of the boundaries between various states, it is shown that the kinetics of state switching undergoes a drastic change in the vicinity of a certain critical driving-force F = F _c . At F < F _c the switching process is considerably decelerated because of the anomalous boundary motion. The theory can also be used to calculate the influence of defects on the interphase domain boundaries on substrates, crystal growth by step mechanism, plastic flow of materials due to dislocation motion in the Peierls-Nabarro relief, and kinetics of their physical processes.