Search for the Decays B⁰_s → τ⁺τ⁻ and B⁰ → τ⁺τ⁻

A search for the rare decays B0s→τ+τ− and B0→τ+τ− is performed using proton–proton collision data collected with the LHCb detector. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb−1 collected in 2011 and 2012. The τ leptons are reconstructed through the decay τ−→π−π+π−ντ. Assuming no contribution from B0→τ+τ− decays, an upper limit is set on the branching fraction B(B0s→τ+τ−)<6.8×10−3 at the 95% confidence level. If instead no contribution from B0s→τ+τ− decays is assumed, the limit is B(B0→τ+τ−)<2.1×10−3 at the 95% confidence level. These results correspond to the first direct limit on B(B0s→τ+τ−) and the world’s best limit on B(B0→τ+τ−).