Measurement of the τ− → h− π0ντ and τ− → h− ⩾ 2π0ντ branching ratios

The branching ratios of the τ− → h− π0vτ and τ− → h− ⩾ 2π0vτ decays (where h− is either a π− or K−) are measured using the OPAL detector at LEP. The two branching ratios are simultaneously measured using separate selection criteria and are found to be Bh− π0 = (26.25 ± 0.35 ± 0.52)%, Bh− ⩾ 2π0 = (9.89 ± 0.34 ± 0.55)%Bh− π0 + Bh− ⩾ 2π0 = (36.14 ± 0.33 ± 0.58)%, where the first error is statistical and the second is systematic.