  The dynamics of transient disordered vortex states in BSCCO was
magneto-optically traced in three experiments: (i) during continuous injection
of transient vortex states while ramping up the external magnetic field, (ii)
during annealing of injected transient states while keeping the external field
constant, and (iii) during annealing of transient 'supercooled' disordered
states while ramping down the external field. The results reveal front-like
propagation (experiment i) or retreat (experiments ii and iii) of the transient
vortex states, at a rate governed by the rate of change of the external field,
the annealing time tau of the transient states and the creep rate. The
experimental results are theoretically analyzed in terms of competition between
generation and annealing of transient disordered vortex states. Extraction of
the annealing time tau from the above three experiments, yields the same
results for tau as a function of the induction, B, and temperature T. Knowledge
of tau(B,T) allows for correct determination of the thermodynamic
order-disorder vortex phase transition line.
