We present band structure calculations and quantum oscillation measurements on LuRh 2 Si 2 , which is an ideal reference to the intensively studied quantum critical heavy-fermion system YbRh 2 Si 2 . Our band structure calculations show a strong sensitivity of the Fermi surface on the position of the silicon atoms z Si within the unit cell. Single crystal structure refinement and comparison of predicted and observed quantum oscillation frequencies and masses yield z Si = 0.379 c in good agreement with numerical lattice relaxation.This value of z Si is suggested for future band structure calculations on LuRh 2 Si 2 and YbRh 2 Si 2 . LuRh 2 Si 2 with a full f electron shell represents the 'small' Fermi surface configuration of YbRh 2 Si 2 . Our experimentally and ab intio derived quantum oscillation frequencies of LuRh 2 Si 2 differ significantly from the results of earlier measurements on YbRh 2 Si 2 . Consequently, our results confirm the contribution of the f electrons to the Fermi surface of YbRh 2 Si 2 at