Search for b->u Transitions inB- -> D0 K- and B- -> D*0 K-

The authors search for B{sup -} {yields} {tilde D}{sup 0}K{sup -} and B{sup -} {yields} {tilde D}*{sup 0}K{sup -}, with {tilde D}*{sup 0} {yields} {tilde D}{sup 0}{pi}{sup 0} or {tilde D}*{sup 0} {yields} {tilde D}{sup 0}{gamma}, and {tilde D}{sup 0} {yields} K{sup +}{pi}{sup -} (and charge conjugates). These final states can be reached through the b {yields} c transition B{sup -} {yields} D{sup (*)0}K{sup -} followed by the doubly CKM-suppressed D{sup 0} {yields} K{sup +}{pi}{sup -}, or the b {yields} u transition B{sup -} {yields} {bar D}{sup (*)0}K{sup -} followed by the CKM-favored {bar D}{sup 0} {yields} K{sup +}{pi}{sup -}. The interference of these two amplitudes is sensitive to the angle {gamma} of the unitarity triangle. The results are based on 232 million {Upsilon}(4S) {yields} B{bar B} decays collected with the BABAR detector at SLAC. They find no significant evidence for these decays. They set a limit r{sub B} {triple_bond} |A(B{sup -} {yields} {bar D}{sup 0}K{sup -})/A(B{sup -} {yields} D{sup 0}K{sup -})| < 0.23 at 90% C.L. using the most conservative assumptions on the values of the CKM angle {gamma} and the strong phases in the B and D decay amplitudes. In the case of the D* they set amore » 90% C.L. limit r*{sub B}{sup 2} {triple_bond} |A(B{sup -} {yields} {bar D}*{sup 0}K{sup -})/A(B{sup -} {yields} D*{sup 0} K{sup -})|{sup 2} < (0.16){sup 2} which is independent of assumptions on {gamma} and strong phases.« less