150Nd

150Nd, or neodymium-150, is a nuclide of the lanthanide element neodymium (Nd) with mass number 150. In natural neodymium, 150Nd accounts for about 5.6% of the isotopic composition.

It has 60 protons and 90 neutrons (Z=60, N=90). The isotope is stable against single beta decay; its standard decay mode is double beta decay to 150Sm. The decay has a Q-value of about 3.37 MeV, among the higher values for natural beta beta emitters, which makes it favorable for experimental studies.

Two-neutrino double beta decay has been observed for 150Nd, with a half-life around 9×10^18 years. Searches for neutrinoless double beta decay have not observed a signal; current experimental limits place the half-life well above 10^22 years, depending on the analysis and assumed mechanisms. Observation of 0νββ would have implications for the Majorana nature of neutrinos and lepton number violation.

Because of its properties, 150Nd is used in experiments that study double beta decay and in investigations of the nuclear matrix elements governing these processes. Isotopic enrichment can increase the 150Nd fraction in detectors, enhancing sensitivity for decay searches.

Nd-150 is one of several naturally occurring isotopes of neodymium. Beyond nuclear physics studies, neodymium itself is widely employed in magnets and various industrial applications, while other Nd isotopes contribute to geochemical dating schemes such as Sm–Nd dating.