Experimental study of the long range interactions between a Na (3S) and a Rb (5S) atom

Transitions to near asymptotic levels of the a3Σ+ and the X1Σ+ electronic states in NaRb were recorded by high resolution Fourier transform spectroscopy technique. The hyperfine splitting of the a3Σ+ state levels was analysed. The application of coupled channels calculations is discussed for determination of accurate potential energy curves of the a3Σ+ and the X1Σ+ states capable for reliable description of cold collisions between a Na and a Rb atoms in their ground states.