Search for Scalar Leptoquark Pairs Decaying to Electrons and Jets in $\overline{p}\mathit{p}$ Collisions

We have searched for the pair production of first generation scalar leptoquarks in the $\mathrm{eejj}$ channel using the full data set $\left(123{\mathrm{pb}}^{-1\mathrm{}}\right)$ collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron during 1992–1996. We observe no candidates with an expected background of approximately 0.4 events. Comparing the experimental 95% confidence level upper limit to theoretical calculations of the cross section with the assumption of a 100% branching fraction of $\mathrm{eq}$, we set a lower limit on the mass of a first generation scalar leptoquark of $225\mathrm{GeV}{/c}^2$. The results of this analysis rule out the interpretation of the excess of high $Q^2$ events at DESY HERA as leptoquarks which decay exclusively to $\mathrm{eq}$.