Constraints on the $\tau$ neutrino mass and mixing from precise measurements of $\tau$ decay rates

We have derived constraints on the tau neutrino mass and fourth generation mixing from an analysis of the partial widths of tau lepton decays, in particular: tau -> e nu nu_tau, tau -> mu nu nu_tau, tau -> pi nu_tau, tau -> K nu_tau. We present predictions for the tau decay widths, allowing for a non-zero tau neutrino mass, m(nu_tau), and for mixing with a neutrino of mass m(nu_L) > M_Z/2, which is parametrised using a Cabibbo-like mixing angle, theta_L. By comparison of these theoretical predictions with the experimental measurements, we obtain the following bounds at the 90% confidence level: m(nu_tau) < 42 MeV and sin^2(theta_L) < 0.014