Crossovers Between Elastic, Plastic and Quantum Creep in Two Dimensional YBa_2Cu_3O_7/PrBa_2Cu_3O_7 Superlattices

Two-dimensional(2D) vortex dynamics was studied in an YBa_2Cu_3O_7/ PrBa_2Cu_3O_7 superlattice by measuring the I-V characteristics. In the high current limit, 2D collective creep was observed with an activation energy characterized by U(j)=a j^u. A dislocation mediated vortex melting happened when the temperature increased. In the low current limit, the exponential growth of energy barrier for elastic motion was prohibited by the plastic deformation of vortices. A plateau in the resistive transition was observed, which was attributed to possible quantum tunneling of vortices. Our results suggest that a 2D vortex glass can not exist at any temperature, including T=0 K.