  We theoretically explore a Rashba spin-orbit coupling scheme which operates
entirely in the absolute ground state manifold of an alkali atom, thereby
minimizing all inelastic processes. An energy gap between ground eigenstates of
the proposed coupling can be continuously opened or closed by modifying laser
polarizations. Our technique uses far-detuned "Raman" laser coupling to create
the Rashba potential, which has the benefit of low spontaneous emission rates.
At these detunings, the Raman matrix elements that link $m_F$ magnetic sublevel
quantum numbers separated by two are also suppressed. These matrix elements are
necessary to produce the Rashba Hamiltonian within a single total angular
momentum $f$ manifold. However, the far-detuned Raman couplings can link the
three XYZ states familiar to quantum chemistry, which possess the necessary
connectivity to realize the Rashba potential. We show that these XYZ states are
essentially the hyperfine spin eigenstates of $^{87}\text{Rb}$ dressed by a
strong radio-frequency magnetic field.
