Structural Properties and β-Decay Half-Lives of Odd–A Nb Isotopes Using the Relativistic Hartree–Bogoliubov Formalism

Abstract

This work investigates the structural and decay properties of \({\text{odd}}{-} A\) niobium (Nb) isotopes with mass numbers ranging from 71 \( \leqslant A \leqslant \) 147 using the relativistic Hartree–Bogoliubov (RHB) framework with the density-dependent DD-ME2 parameter set. Key bulk properties, including binding energies, root-mean-square radii, quadrupole deformation parameters, neutron separation energies, and decay half-lives, are systematically analysed. The results show good agreement with the Weizsäcker–Skyrme mass formula, the finite-range droplet model, and available experimental data. Notable discrepancies in the quadrupole deformation predictions, along with the anomalous weakening of half-lives in \(^{{95,97}}\)Nb, emphasise the need for further theoretical refinement and experimental investigation to better understand the nuclear structure mechanisms in this region.