Measurement of the ratioB(W→τν)/B(W→eν) inpp¯collisions at √s=1.8 TeV

We have observed over ${10}^2$ events of the type W→τν followed by τ→ hadrons, where the taus are identified by their decay into one or three charged particles. We measure the cross section times branching ratio for pp¯→W→τν and compare it to the value for W→eν to directly measure the ratio of weak coupling constants ${\mathit{g}}_{\mathrm{\tau }}$/${\mathit{g}}_{\mathit{e}}$. We find ${\mathit{g}}_{\mathrm{\tau }}$/${\mathit{g}}_{\mathit{e}}$=0.97±0.07, consistent with lepton universality.