The experimental characterization of the electronic states correlated to the asymptote of ground state Na (3S) and Rb (5S) atoms was expanded by spectroscopic data on $a{}^3\Sigma ^{+}$ state levels using a high resolution Fourier transform spectroscopy technique. The hyperfine splitting of the $a{}^3\Sigma ^{+}$ state levels was partially resolved and analyzed for both $\mathrm{Na}{}^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ and $\mathrm{Na}{}^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ isotopomers. Transitions to high lying levels of the $a{}^3\Sigma ^{+}$ and $X{}^1\Sigma ^{+}$ states were recorded simultaneously which enables one to determine long range parameters of the molecular potentials. Coupled channels calculations based on the Fourier grid method were finally applied for deriving accurate potential energy curves of the $a{}^3\Sigma ^{+}$ and $X{}^1\Sigma ^{+}$ states capable of a reliable description of cold collisions between Na and Rb atoms in their ground states. Scattering lengths and Feshbach resonances were calculated for some quantum states.

• Received 4 October 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.72.062505