Search for B --> K* nu anti-nu decays

Abstract

We present a search for the decays $B \to K^{*} ν\barν$ using 454$\times10^{6}$ $B \bar{B}$ pairs collected at the $Υ(4S)$ resonance with the $mbox{\slshape B\kern-0.1em{\smaller A}\kern-0.1em B\kern-0.1em{\smaller A\kern-0.2em R}}$ detector at the SLAC PEP-II $B$-Factory. We first select an event sample where one $B$ is reconstructed in a semileptonic or hadronic mode with one charmed meson. The remaining particles in the event are then examined to search for a $B \to K^{*} ν\barν$ decay. The charged $K^{*}$ is reconstructed as $ K^{*+} \to K^0_{\scriptscriptstyle S} π^{+}$ or $ K^{*+} \to K^{+} π^{0}$; the neutral $K^{*}$ is identified in the $K^{*0} \to K^{+} π^{-}$ mode. We establish upper limits at 90% confidence level of $\matchal{B}(B^{+} \to K^{*+} ν\barν) < 8 \times 10^{-5}$, $\matchal{B}(B^{0} \to K^{*0} ν\barν) < 12 \times 10^{-5}$, and $\matchal{B}(B \to K^{*} ν\barν) < 8 \times 10^{-5}$.