A Measurement of the Tau Topological Branching Ratios

Abstract

Using data collected in the DELPHI detector at LEP-1, measurements of the inclusive tau branching ratios for decay modes containing one, three, or five charged particles have been performed, giving the following results: B_1 = B(τ^- -> (particle)^- \geq 0pi^0 \geq 0K^0 ν_τ(\barν)) = (85.316 +/- 0.093 +/- 0.049)%; B_3 = B(τ^- -> 2h^-h^+ \geq 0pi^0 \geq 0K^0 ν_τ) = (14.569 +/- 0.093 +/- 0.048)%; B_5 = B(τ^- -> 3h^-2h^+ \geq 0pi^0 \geq 0K^0 ν_τ) = (0.115 +/- 0.013 +/- 0.006)%, where h is either a charged pi or K meson. The first quoted uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic.

32 pages, 10 figures, Accepted by Eur. Phys. J. C