Nd145

Nd-145 is a radioactive isotope of the element neodymium (Nd), possessing 60 protons and 85 neutrons for a mass number of 145. It is not found naturally in any meaningful abundance and is produced only in laboratory or accelerator environments.

Located far from the line of beta stability on the nuclear chart, Nd-145 decays primarily by beta-minus decay to Pr-145. The exact half-life depends on the specific nuclear state and experimental conditions, and its decay is typically accompanied by gamma emissions from the daughter nucleus and its successors. Because it is neutron-rich, its decay properties are of interest mainly to researchers studying nuclear structure rather than practical applications.

Nd-145 is produced in various nuclear reactions, including projectile fragmentation, spallation, fusion-evaporation, and neutron capture processes in reactors or accelerator facilities. It is detected and studied through decay spectroscopy, gamma-ray measurements, and, when feasible, mass spectrometry or on-line isotope separation techniques.

In scientific contexts, Nd-145 helps probe the structure and behavior of neutron-rich rare-earth nuclei, contributing to tests of nuclear models and our understanding of deformation and shell evolution near N=85. Data on Nd-145 also feed into broader discussions of nucleosynthesis in explosive astrophysical environments, although this particular isotope is not a major contributor to natural abundances.

See also Nd isotopes; rare-earth elements; beta decay.