Precise Measurement of<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mi>τ</mml:mi></mml:math>-Decay Charged-Particle Multiplicity Distribution

Abstract

The charged-particle multiplicity distribution in $\ensuremath{\tau}$ decays is determined from data collected at the ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ storage ring PEP. The one-, three-, and five-charged-particle inclusive branching fractions are (86 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 2)%, (14 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 2)%, and 0.5%, respectively.