  Topological superconductors as characterized by Majorana surface states has
been actively searched for their significance in fundamental science and
technological implication. The large spin-orbit coupling in Bi-Pd binaries has
stimulated extensive investigations on the topological surface states in these
superconducting compounds. Here we report a study of normal-state electronic
structure in a centrosymmetric $\alpha$-PdBi2 within density functional theory
calculations. By investigating the electronic structure from the bulk to slab
geometries in this system, we predict for the first time that $\alpha$-PdBi2
can host orbital-dependent and asymmetric Rashba surface states near the Fermi
energy. This study suggests that $\alpha$-PdBi2 will be a good candidate to
explore the relationship between superconductivity and topology in condensed
matter physics.
