Search for Scalar Leptoquarks Produced via <math display="inline"><mi>τ</mi></math>-Lepton–Quark Scattering in <math display="inline"><mi>p</mi><mi>p</mi></math> Collisions at <math display="inline"><mrow><msqrt><mrow><mi>s</mi></mrow></msqrt><mo>=</mo><mn>13</mn><mtext> </mtext><mtext> </mtext><mi>TeV</mi></mrow></math>

The first search for scalar leptoquarks produced in $\tau$-lepton–quark collisions is presented. It is based on a set of proton-proton collision data marc:recorded with the CMS detector at the LHC at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $138{\mathrm{fb}}^{-1}$. The reconstructed final state consists of a jet, significant missing transverse momentum, and a $\tau$ lepton reconstructed through its hadronic or leptonic decays. Limits are set on the product of the leptoquark production cross section and branching fraction and interpreted as exclusions in the plane of the leptoquark mass and the leptoquark-$\tau$-quark coupling strength.