<i>β</i> decay and nuclear structure properties of neutron-deficient isotopes ⁹²Pd, ⁹⁴Pd, ⁹⁶Cd, ⁹⁸Cd, ¹⁰⁰Sn, and ¹⁰²Sn using the RMF and pn-QRPA

Abstract The nuclear structure properties of even–even nuclei is analyzed using the relativistic mean field (RMF) model with DDME2 interactions. Key nuclear characteristics, including binding energy ( E b ), neutron separation energies ( S n , S 2 n ), the root mean square (rms) radii of protons ( R p ), neutrons ( R n ), charge distributions ( R c ), quadrupole deformation parameter ( β 2 ), and potential energy curves, are thoroughly examined. The β 2 values, one taken from the finite range droplet model (FRDM) and other computed using the RMF model with DDME2 interactions, are incorporated as input parameters in the proton–neutron quasiparticle random phase approximation (pn-QRPA) model to assess the β -decay characteristics of isotopes such as 92 Pd, 94 Pd, 96 Cd, 98 Cd, 100 Sn, and 102 Sn. This study explores β -decay properties such as half-lives, Gamow–Teller strength distributions, and stellar decay rates. Comparisons with experimental data reveal a strong correlation. The combined effects of β + decay and electron capture (EC) play a crucial role in high-temperature and high-density environments, with reaction rates increasing by up to five orders of magnitude as stellar density rises from (10 7 to 10 11 ) g/cm 3 . These findings offer significant contributions to the understanding of massive star evolution during its final stages.