By means of a comprehensive first-principles analysis on several
hyperferroelectrics in their bulk, surface or interface phases, our work
highlights the close interplay between hyperferroelectricity and
spin-orbit physics, in terms of non-trivial topological phases and
spin-splitting phenomena in low-dimensional ferroelectrics. We believe
this might stimulate a deep exploration of the intriguing class of
hyperferroelectrics, as promising candidates for one of the
grand-challenges of spintronics, i.e. the electric control of spin
degrees-of-freedom. The persistence of ferroelectric properties at the
nanoscale makes the interplay of interest not only from the point of
view of microscopic mechanisms at play and related materials displaying
peculiar spin-electric coupling, but also - in the longer term - for a
new generation of spintronic devices. Our work therefore addresses a
wide audience ranging from basic physics to materials science to
device-technology.





50 words

We highlight the close interplay between hyperferroelectricity and
spin-orbit physics. This might stimulate a deep exploration of the
intriguing class of hyperferroelectrics, as promising candidates for one
of the grand-challenges of spintronics, i.e. the electric control of
spin degrees-of-freedom in sub-nanometer devices. We think to
substantially advance a particular field.