  We theoretically investigate the prospects for photoassociation (PA) of
Rb$_3$, in particular at close range. We provide an overview of accessible
states and possible transitions. The major focus is placed on the calculation
of equilibrium structures, the survey of spin-orbit effects and the
investigation of transition dipole moments. Furthermore we discuss
Franck-Condon overlaps and special aspects of trimers including the (pseudo)
Jahn-Teller effect and the resulting topology of adiabatic potential-energy
surfaces. With this we identify concrete and suitable PA transitions to
potentially produce long-lived trimer bound states. Calculations are performed
using the multireference configuration-interaction method together with a
large-core effective core potential and a core-polarization potential with a
large uncontracted even-tempered basis set.
