Search for lepton-flavor-violating $τ^- \to μ^-μ^+μ^-$ decays at Belle II
We present the result of a search for the charged-lepton-flavor violating decay $τ^- \to μ^-μ^+μ^-$ using a $424fb^{-1}$ sample of data recorded by the Belle II experiment at the SuperKEKB $e^{-}e^{+}$ collider. The selection of $e^{-}e^{+}\toτ^+τ^-$ events is based on an inclusive reconstruction of the non-signal tau decay, and on a boosted decision tree to suppress background. We observe one signal candidate, which is compatible with the expectation from background processes. We set a $90\%$ confidence level upper limit of $1.9 \times 10^{-8}$ on the branching fraction of the \taumu decay, which is the most stringent bound to date.