Lifetime of Bc- Mesons Constrains Explanations for Anomalies in B→D(*)τν

Here, we investigate a new constraint on new-physics interpretations of the anomalies observed in B→D(^*)τν decays making use of the lifetime of the B(−/c) meson. A constraint is obtained by demanding that the rate for B(−/c)→τ ^-(−/v) does not exceed the fraction of the total width that is allowed by the calculation of the lifetime in the standard model. This leads to a very strong bound on new-physics scenarios involving scalar operators since they lift the slight, but not negligible, chiral suppression of the B(−/c)→τ ^-(−/v) amplitude in the standard model. The new constraint renders a scalar interpretation of the enhancement measured in R _D* implausible, including explanations implementing extra Higgs doublets or certain classes of leptoquarks. We also discuss the complementarity of R _D(*) and a measurement of the longitudinal polarization of the τ in the B→D ^*τν decay in light of our findings.