We have studied hadronic decays of $B$ mesons. We report measurements of exclusive branching ratios of several charm decay modes of $B$ mesons to final states with a $D$ or $D^{*}$ and one to three charged pions or a charged $\rho$ and to final states with a $\psi$ or ${\psi }^{\prime }$, a kaon, and up to two charged pions. We have also measured inclusive branching ratios for $B$ decays to $D$ and $D^{*}$ and the spectra of these particles in $B$ decays. The total charm content in $B$ decay is found to be (101±12)%. The branching ratios and spectra are compared to form-factor models. We extract the parameters $a_1$ and $a_2$ of the model of Bauer, Stech, and Wirbel and the $D_S$ decay constant. The masses of the ${\overline{B}}^0$ and $B^{-}$ mesons are measured. The mass difference between ${\overline{B}}^0$ and $B^{-}$ is found to be -0.4±0.6±0.5 MeV/${\mathit{c}}^2$.

• Received 29 July 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.45.21