Improved molecular constants for the and states of NaH

Improved molecular constants for the and states of the NaH molecule are presented. NaH molecules are produced by reactive scattering of H and Na₂ in a crossed beam experiment. High vibrational levels (6 9) of the NaH molecules are predominantly populated. Their excitation spectrum in the range has been measured using a new variant of Doppler spectroscopy. The transition frequencies involving the vibrational levels 2 8 in the and 6 9 in the state have been determined with an accuracy of better than . Using also previously published data a new set of molecular constants for the and state is derived. In particular, the vibrational dependence of the rotational constants B, D and H as well as some of v”-v' band origins for and is determined. The transition frequencies measured here or published previously are reproduced by these new coefficients with an accuracy of 0.1 cm^-1 rms value] with a maximum deviation of 0.4 cm^-1. New RKR potential energy curves have been calculated up to the turning points of the levels v” = 9 in the state and v' = 25 in the state. Received 21 August 1999