Second magnetization peak (SMP) in hole-doped cuprates and iron pnictide superconductors has been widely explored. However, similar feature in the family of electron-doped cuprates is not common. Here, we report the vortex dynamics study in the single crystal of an electron-doped cuprate ${\mathrm{Pr}}_{0.87}{\mathrm{LaCe}}_{0.13}{\mathrm{CuO}}_4$ superconductor using dc magnetization measurements. A second magnetization peak feature in the isothermal $M\left(H\right)$ was observed for $H\parallel ab$ planes. On the other hand, no such feature was observed for the $H\parallel c$ axis in the crystal. Using magnetic relaxation data, a detailed analysis of activation pinning energy via collective creep theory suggests an elastic to plastic creep crossover across the SMP. Moreover, for the $H\parallel ab$, a peak in the temperature dependence of critical current density is also observed near 7 K, which is likely be related to a dimensional crossover [three-dimensional–two dimensional (3D-2D)] associated with the emergence of Josephson vortices at low temperatures. The anisotropy parameter obtained $\gamma \approx 8–11$ indicates the 3D nature of vortex lattice mainly for the $H\parallel c$ axis. The $H-T$ phase diagrams for $H\parallel c$ and $H\parallel ab$ are presented.

• Received 13 May 2020
• Revised 4 August 2020
• Accepted 5 August 2020

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.102.064509