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Using the Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov mean-field theory, the ground-state structural and decay properties of Nd isotopes are investigated from the proton-rich side up to the neutron drip-line. Quantities such as binding energies per nucleon, one and two-neutron separation energies, rms charge radii, and quadrupole deformation parameters have been calculated. Compared with the relativistic mean-field results, the present calculations are in better agreement with the available experimental data. The results show clearly the signature of a shape transition at [Formula: see text] and an abrupt increase in the deformation near the neutron drip-line. Further, the possible decay modes like alpha, cluster and [Formula: see text]-decay are analyzed in a unified fission model and phenomenological formulas. Overall, a good agreement is achieved between the calculated and experimental [Formula: see text]-values and half-lives wherever available. The most likely decay modes are thus identified throughout the isotopic chain.

The predictive accuracy of the unified fission model based on a modified Woods–Saxon potential (UFMWS) is assessed by systematically calculating the decay half-lives of alpha emitters from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]. The computed results are compared with recent experimental data as well as with results obtained using different semi-empirical formulas. After confirming the performance of the UFMWS, we focus on the alpha decay of even-Z superheavy nuclei with [Formula: see text]. The comparison between the experimental and the theoretical alpha-decay energies extracted from four different mass tables as well as between the experimental half-lives and those calculated by UFMWS using the theoretical values have shown that the WS4 mass model is the most accurate in the region of superheavy nuclei. The alpha decay half-lives of the nuclei of interest have then been computed with the UFMWS by inputting the WS4 decay energies. The study of the neutron number variation of decay half-lives allowed to identify regions of increased stability and to predict neutron magic numbers.

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