Modelling of two-dimensional magnetic materials.

Combined with the global thrust towards miniaturization and with the ubiquitous research in two-dimensional (2D) materials, this contribution will focus on the modelling of magnets towards the 2D limit. In particular, after a general overview on spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in ferroics, I will focus on the magnetic and ferroelectric properties of transition-metal monolayers (mostly halides) and discuss the relevant role of SOC in the magnetoelectric coupling. The recent reports of multiferroicity in $NiI_{2}$ layers, obtained via a joint theory-experiments approach down to the single-layer limit, show the potentiality of cross-coupling phenomena in van der Waals magnets.