Perspectives of spin-textured ferroelectrics

Abstract

Abstract Spin–orbit coupling (SOC) links the spin degree of freedom to the orbital motion of electrons in a solid and plays an important role in the emergence of new physical phenomena. In non-centrosymmetric materials, the SOC locks the electron’s spin direction to its momentum resulting in non-trivial spin textures in the reciprocal space. Depending on the crystal symmetry, the spin texture may exhibit Rashba, Dresselhaus, persistent, or more intricate configurations. In ferroelectric materials these spin textures are coupled to the ferroelectric polarization and thus can be controlled by its orientation and magnitude. This provides a promising platform to explore the coupling between spin, orbital, valley, and lattice degrees of freedoms in solids and opens a new direction for nonvolatile spintronic devices, such as a spin-field-effect transistor and a valley spin valve. Here, we review the recent advances in spin-texture physics of ferroelectric materials and outline possible device implications.