Measurement of the tau -> 3pi eta nu Branching Fraction and a Search for a Second-Class Current in the tau -> eta'(958) pi nu Decay

Abstract

The "τ\to 3πην" decay with the "η\to γγ" mode is studied using 384 fb^-1 of data collected by the BaBar detector. The branching fraction is measured to be (1.60+/-0.05+/-0.11)x10^-4. It is found that "τ\to f1 πνto 3πην" is the dominant decay mode with a branching fraction of (1.11+/-0.06+/-0.05)x10^-4. The first error on the branching fractions is statistical and the second systematic. In addition, a 90% confidence level upper limit on the branching fraction of the "τ\to η'(958) πν" decay is measured to be 7.2x10^-6. This last decay proceeds through a second-class current and is expected to be forbidden in the limit of isospin symmetry.

9 pages, 7 eps figures, Submitted to PRD