A Search for B+ --> tau+ nu Recoiling Against B- --> D0 l- nu X

TL;DR

This paper reports a search for the rare decay $B^{+} o au^{+} u_{ au}$ using data from the BABAR detector, setting upper limits on its branching fraction and combining results for improved constraints.

Contribution

First search using semi-exclusive semi-leptonic B decays to constrain $B^{+} o au^{+} u_{ au}$ decay branching fraction at BABAR.

Findings

Set a preliminary upper limit of 4.9 x 10^{-4} on the branching fraction.

Combined with previous results to improve the limit to 4.1 x 10^{-4}.

Provides constraints on new physics models affecting leptonic B decays.

Abstract

We present a search for the decay $B^{+} \to \tau^{+} \nu_{\tau}$ in $88.9 \times 10^{6}$ $\Upsilon(4S)$ decays recorded with the BABAR detector at the SLAC $B$-Factory. A sample of semi-exclusive, semi-leptonic B decays ($B^{-} \to D^{0} \ell^{-} \bar{\nu_{\ell}}X$), where $X$ is either a photon, $\pi^{0}$, or nothing, is used to identify the daughter particles that are associated with the other $B$ meson in each event. These particles are searched for evidence of a one-prong leptonic $B^{+} \to \tau^{+} \nu_{\tau}$ decay. For this data sample we set a preliminary upper limit on the branching fraction of $\mathcal{B}(B^{+} \to \tau^{+} \nu_{\tau}) < 4.9 \times 10^{-4}$ at the 90% confidence level. This result is then combined with a statistically independent BABAR search for $B^{+} \to \tau^{+} \nu_{\tau}$ to give a combined preliminary limit of $\mathcal{B}(B^{+} \to \tau^{+} \nu_{\tau}) < 4.1 \times 10^{-4}$.