[en] The reflection spectra of RbCl, RbBr and RbI single crystals were investigated for temperatures between 300 K and 8 K in order to study excitations from the Rb⁺4p level (> approximately 16 eV) as well as the higher continuum transitions from the valence band (> approximately 10 eV). The measurements were performed by use of the synchrotron radiation of DESY. The sensitivity for detecting details of the fine structure was increased by simultaneously measuring the wavelength modulated spectra. The experimental procedure is briefly described. New spectral features have been resolved for the exciton multiplets from the Rb⁺4p level. They are discussed in light of the predictions of a recent model for the Rb⁺4p excitons based on ligand field theory. The continuum transitions associated with the valence band and the Rb⁺4p level show characteristic structure which is compared with calculations of the joint density of states. (orig.)