Abstract: Methods, devices, and computer-readable storage media are provided. Some embodiments of the invention include an image processing device displaying on a display of the image processing device a machine-readable code, wherein information encoded in the machine-readable code is usable by a mobile computing device to establish a communication session between the mobile computing device and the image processing device. In some embodiments, the mobile computing device reads the machine-readable code, obtains the information by decoding the machine-readable code, and establishes the communication session using the information. In some embodiments, during the communication session, the image processing device receives a scan command, scans a physical document in response to the scan command, and sends an electronic document representing the scanned physical document to the mobile computing device.

Abstract: A scanning device is capable of scanning both sides of a medium and includes a lens module, an optical-electric coupling unit, and a processor. The lens module faces the medium to be scanned. The optical-electric coupling unit is optically connected to the lens module. The processor is optically connected to the optical-electric coupling unit, and includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The light beams emitted from the light emitting unit are directed into the lens module through the optical-electric coupling unit, and illuminate the medium to be scanned. The light beams reflected by the medium enter into the optical-electric coupling unit through the optical-electric coupling unit, and then to the light receiving unit. The processor processes the reflected light beams into electrical signals to obtain scanning signals.

Abstract: A decolorizing device includes a first reading section, a decolorizing section, a second reading section and a controller. The first reading section reads a first side of the sheet. The decolorizing section performs a decolorizing process on the sheet and the second reading section reads the first side of the sheet. The controller is configured to determine if the decolorizing process is necessary or not on the first side based on first image data of the first side read by the first reading section, to read the first side of the sheet having been subjected to the decolorizing process at the decolorizing section by the second reading section if it is determined that the decolorizing process is necessary, and to avoid reading of the first side of the sheet by the second reading section if it is determined that the decolorizing process is unnecessary.

Abstract: A substrate includes a diffracting structure providing a hologram (20, 6). The diffracting structure encodes a holographic image so that thatholographic image is produced in response to reference light being incident on a major surface of the substrate at an angle of incidence with respect to the said major surface of the substrate, wherein the angle of incidence is no more than 20°.

Abstract: An image display device includes an image forming device, collimating optical system, and optical device, with the optical device including a light guide plate, first diffraction grating member and second diffraction grating member which are made up of a volume hologram diffraction grating, and with central light emitted from the pixel of the center of the image forming device and passed through the center of the collimating optical system being input to the light guide plate from the near side of the second diffraction grating member with a certain angle. Thus, the image display device capable of preventing occurrence of color irregularities, despite the simple configuration, can be provided.

Abstract: A light scanner includes: a base part; a shaft part that swingably supports the base part around a first axis; an optical unit including a light transmission part that is supported by the base part and has light transmissivity, and a first light reflection reduction part that is provided on the light transmission part and reduces light reflection, wherein light enters the first light reflection reduction part.

Abstract: Provided are a light-adjusting element and a product containing the same. The light-adjusting element usable even with a transmission display device, and has a high-quality mirror state capable of a high contrast ratio. A light-adjusting element, according to one embodiment of the present invention, is characterized by including: a pair of substrates; a pair of electrodes formed on opposing surfaces of the pair of substrates, with one electrode being a transparent electrode that has nanometer-scale depressions and protrusions; and en electrolyte layer, interposed between the pair of electrodes, which has electrolyte as well as a mediator and an electrochromic material that has silver. Furthermore, a device according to one embodiment of the present invention at least partially includes the light-adjusting element.

Abstract: Provided is a wavelength tunable light source including a super luminescent diode (SLD) generating lights in a predetermined wavelength band, a voltage generating unit generating first and second voltages, a first filter receiving the first voltage from the voltage generating unit, receiving the lights from the SLD, and transmitting, as second lights, lights corresponding to wavelengths separated by a free spectral range (FSR) from each other among the received lights, a second filter receiving the second voltage from the voltage generating unit, receiving the second lights from the first filter, and transmitting, as a third light, a light corresponding to one wavelength among the separated wavelengths among the received second light, and a reflective mirror disposed at an output end of the second filter and reflects the third light transmitted from the second filter.

Abstract: An acousto-optical filter element (114) is provided which has an acousto-optical crystal (118) having an acoustic signal transmitter (120) for generating acoustic signals in the acousto-optical crystal (118). The acousto-optical crystal (118) is designed to selectively spatially deflect light of a target wavelength from an input light beam (116) entering into the acousto-optical crystal (118), as a function of a high frequency applied to the acoustic signal transmitter (120), and to thereby produce a target light beam (126) having the target wavelength. In addition, the acousto-optical filter element (114) includes a spatial filter element (132) which is located in the target light beam (126) and is designed to selectively suppress the intensity of the target light beam (126) in a plane perpendicular to the propagation direction of the target light beam (126).

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for an electromechanical systems reflective display device. In one aspect, an electromechanical systems display device includes a reflective layer and an absorber layer. The absorber layer is spaced apart from the reflective layer to define a cavity between the absorber layer and the reflective layer. The absorber layer is capable of transmitting light into the cavity, absorbing light, and reflecting light, and includes a metal layer. A plurality of matching layers are on a surface of the absorber layer facing away from the cavity, the plurality of matching layers including a first matching layer disposed on the absorber layer and a second matching layer disposed on the first matching layer.

Abstract: An electrowetting display device includes a picture element having a first support plate and a second support plate. A surface of a second layer of the first support plate is non-planar and has a shape at least partly corresponding with a pattern of a first layer of the first support plate.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing white light color output from an electromechanical systems (EMS) device with reduced likelihood of stiction. In one aspect, interferometric modulators are configured to provide a white color output while having a non-zero modulator gap dimension. Such a feature can reduce problems associated with zero modulator gap dimensions such as stiction. Various methodologies can be used to yield such a non-zero modulator gap and a white color output. In some implementations, for example, an optical element that introduced wavelength dependent phase shift is used. In some implementations this wavelength dependent phase shifting optical element includes a stack of color filters, a hologram, a diffraction grating, or layers of material having specific thicknesses and wavelength dependent indices of refraction.

Abstract: A display panel is provided that includes a plurality of pixel units, each having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and comprising an electrophoretic gel part with a shape tapered in a direction from the first surface to the second surface, wherein a top surface of the electrophoretic gel part forms the first surface and electrophoretic particles are provided in the electrophoretic gel part; a light guiding part with a shape tapered in a direction from the second surface to the first surface, wherein the light guiding part and the electrophoretic glue part match in shape and abut with each other, and a bottom surface of the light guiding part forms at least a portion of the second surface; and a light-emitting device provided on the bottom surface of the light guiding part and operable to emit light toward the first surface.

Abstract: A high power pump ultra bright low-noise source is configured with a multimode (“MM”) seed source outputting a MM smooth, low-noise signal light at a desired wavelength in a wavelength range between about 974 and 1030 nm, a MM Yb fiber wavelength converter operative to convert emission of a plurality of high power (“HP”) semiconductor laser diodes at a sub-pump wavelength ? sp to a pump output at the desired wavelength ??, wherein ??=????sp<0/1?sp. The Yb-doped MM wavelength converter is configured with noise levels substantially identical to those of the low-noise signal light, brightness (“B”) substantially equal to ?×B, wherein n is a number HP semiconductor laser diodes, and B is brightness of each HP laser diode, and output power (“Po”) substantially equal to nPd, wherein Pd is a power of each HP laser diode, and n is the number thereof.

Abstract: A source of femtosecond optical pulses comprises a seed pulse source arranged to generate seed pulses; an optical amplifier downstream of the seed pulse source, the optical amplifier having a gain bandwidth; a nonlinear optical element downstream of the amplifier, the optical element spectrally broadening optical pulses via a non linear process to have a spectral bandwidth that exceeds the gain bandwidth of the optical amplifier; and a pulse compressor downstream of the nonlinear optical element and arranged to reduce the temporal duration of optical pulses so as to provide output optical pulses having a femtoseconds time duration.

Abstract: A beam focusing unit for a laser weapon system includes a laser generating unit, an output element unit, and a beam optics element. The beam focusing unit includes a stationary/partly movable part and a fully movable part. The stationary/partly movable part is adapted for positioning or for transporting the beam focusing unit between operations. The fully movable part is adapted for targeting and target-following of the laser weapon system. The beam optics element and the at least one output element unit is arranged on the fully movable part.

Abstract: Method and system for emitting optical pulses in view of a desired output energy of the optical pulses and a variable external trigger signal, using a laser system having a seed laser oscillator optically coupled to one or more cascaded optical amplification stages. For each amplification stage, a plurality of sets of pump pulse parameters are provided, each associated with specific values of the output energy and the trigger period. Proper pumping parameters associated with the received desired value of the output energy and the trigger period of the received trigger signal are selected for each amplification stage, which is pumped accordingly before a seed optical pulse is launched through the system.

Abstract: Traditional solar control applications rely on thin metal films to reflect EM radiation with wavelengths longer than that of the visible spectrum. Unfortunately such films also block radiation in cellular, GPS, and radio frequency bands. In one aspect, the disclosure provides a selectively-blocking filter that uses one or more optical filters tuned to a specific range(s) of wavelengths (e.g. for blocking IR radiation), while readily transmitting other wavelengths (e.g. both visible light and cellular/GPS signals). The filters can be manufactured on both flexible and rigid substrates.

Abstract: An adjustable stage mount includes a housing having a base defining a hole and an adjustable stage including a ball joint extension that rotatably engages the hole and is rotatably securable about the x-, y-, and z-axes. An adjustable indenter mount includes a housing defining a hole and an adjustable indenter including a ball joint extension that rotatably engages the hole and is rotatably securable about the x-, y-, and z-axes. A collision protection switch includes a first plate having three pairs of electrically conductive spaced apart pins wired to a voltage source in an open circuit, and a second plate having three electrically conductive balls. A spring pulls the first and second plates together causing the three balls to complete the circuit. A sufficient force against the second plate causes a ball to disengage and open the circuit. A two-objective microscope includes two parallel objectives, upper and lower light sources, three half-mirrors, and a camera.

Abstract: A confocal fluorescence microscope of the present invention consists of: a light source unit broadly comprising one or more short wavelength laser beams; a lens unit which converts parallel light, emitted from a light source, into linear light having an appropriate size; a multi-color mirror which reflects the light source and enables fluorescence to transmit so as to separate the light source and the fluorescence; a scan mirror which radiates the light source over a wide area and scatters the fluorescence over a large-area camera; a microscope unit which radiates the incident light source to a target object, collects the fluorescence emitted from the target, and outputs the collected fluorescence; and a detecting unit which removes the background of the outputted fluorescent signal and observes the outputted fluorescent signal.

Abstract: Transparent heat-conductive layers of significant thickness are bonded or adhered to opposing optical faces of a Faraday optic to form a Faraday optic structure that can be used with beam-folding mirrors and an external magnetic field to form a multi-pass Faraday rotator with minimal thermal gradient across the beam within the Faraday optic. The transparent heat conductive layers conduct heat through the Faraday optic substantially parallel to the beam propagation axis for each pass through the Faraday optic structure and thereby reduce thermal gradients across the beam cross section that would otherwise contribute to thermal lens focal shifts and thermal birefringence in the Faraday optic structure. The multi-pass Faraday rotator of this invention is suitable for use with any device based upon the Faraday effect such as optical isolators, optical circulators and Faraday mirrors that are scalable with beam size to power levels in excess of 2 kW.

Abstract: A method comprises spatially selectively irradiating in a predetermined pattern with an output beam of a laser system an interface between a polymer substrate and a metal film on the polymer substrate. The polymer substrate is substantially transparent to the output beam of the laser system; the metal film absorbs a substantial fraction of the output beam. Laser system output comprises a sequence of pulses. Beam size at the polymer/metal interface, pulse energy, and pulse duration are selected so that each pulse from the laser system that irradiates an area of the polymer/metal interface substantially completely removes by ablation the metal film from at least a portion of the irradiated area without substantially altering the surfaces or bulk of the polymer substrate and without leaving on the polymer substrate or on remaining areas of the metal film substantial residue of metal that resolidified after being melted by the laser irradiation.

Abstract: [Object] A polarizing element and polarizing plate having improved optical properties and durability. [Solution] A polarizing element characterized in comprising a polyvinyl alcohol resin film adsorbing at least one dichromatic pigment that is a compound represented by formula (I) or a salt thereof as a free acid, and being stretched, wherein the polyvinyl alcohol resin has a degree of polymerization of 5,000 to 10,000: (wherein A represents a phenyl group or a naphthyl group having a substituent; R1-R6 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, a sulfo group, or a lower alkoxy group having a sulfo group; X represents an amino group optionally having a substituent, a benzoylamino group optionally having a substituent, a phenylamino group optionally having a substituent, a phenylazo group optionally having a substituent, or a naphthotriazole group optionally having a substituent; and m represents 0 or 1).

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a driver which drives a front lens element, on the object side of a reflector, to reduce image shake. The driver includes voice coil motors, each having a coil and a permanent magnet. A coil-and-magnet combination is positioned on each opposite side of a first reference plane. Centers of each permanent magnet and coil are positioned on one side of a second reference plane, including the first optical axis and orthogonal to the first reference plane, a second optical axis extending on the other side of the second reference plane. Magnetic pole boundary lines of the permanent magnets are inclined to approach the first reference plane away from the second reference plane. The magnetic sensors are positioned on opposite sides of the respective coils from the first lens element side.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a front lens group having a front lens element and a prism, in that order from an object side, light rays exiting from the front lens element along a first optical axis being reflected by the prism to travel along a second optical axis nonparallel to the first optical axis, a rear lens group, and an anti-shake system. The anti-shake system includes a base member supporting the prism, a movable frame supporting the front lens element; and opposing guide members on opposite sides of the prism on both sides of a reference plane, respectively, in which the first and second optical axes lie, to support the movable frame to allow the movable frame to move along the plane orthogonal to the first optical axis relative to the base member.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes sequentially from an object side, a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens group having a negative refractive power, a fifth lens group having a positive refractive power, and a sixth lens group having a negative refractive power. The zoom lens varies the interval between the lens groups to perform zooming; shifts the second lens group in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis to correct image blur occurring with optical system vibrations; and satisfies given conditions, enabling a compact size and a high zoom ratio to be achieved while improving imaging performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a projection display (10) for projecting a colour image to a viewer (12) overlaid on a real world scene viewed through the display. The display comprises an image generator (16) for generating image bearing chromatic light for injection into a waveguide assembly (28) at a first range of field angles (44) and a second range of field angles (46). The waveguide assembly comprises a first waveguide (30) having a first input diffraction region (32) arranged to couple image bearing chromatic light in the first range of field angles into the first waveguide to propagate by total internal reflection; and a second waveguide (40) having a second input diffraction region (42) arranged to couple image bearing chromatic light in the second range of field angles into the second waveguide to propagate by total internal reflection.

Abstract: An optical filter device has a light interference filter and a casing. The light interference filter has a fixed substrate, a movable substrate joined to the fixed substrate, a fixed reflection film provided on the fixed substrate, and a movable reflection film provided on the movable substrate. The casing has a base substrate and a lid that forms an internal space with the base substrate. The movable substrate has a holding portion provided on a surface opposite to the fixed substrate, outside a light interference region, as viewed in a plan view. The base substrate has a light transmission hole corresponding to a light transmission region. An outer peripheral edge of the light transmission hole faces the holding portion. The surface opposite to the fixed substrate of the movable substrate is joined to the base substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing a film having luminescent particles is described. The method has steps a) mixing a thermoplastic and a luminescent pigment containing a hydroxyalkyl terephthalate of the formulate: R1—COO—P(OH)x-COO—R2 and obtaining a thermoplastic mixture; and b) homogenizing the thermoplastic mixture to 150° C. to 200° C. in an extruder, by way of an extrusion nozzle, and obtaining a thermoplastic film.

Abstract: A virtual image display device includes: an image forming element which forms an image to be displayed; and an optical element which reflects a light emitted from the image forming element to display a virtual image. The optical element has a concave shape opposite to a traveling direction of the light emitted from the image forming element. The light emitted from the image forming element enters the optical element without being reflected by other optical element. The image forming element is arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction of viewing the virtual image through the optical element.

Abstract: Disclosed is fixation by means of any type of adhesive of two- or more parts in an assembly consisting of one or more inhomogeneous part internally joined rigid together, e.g. lenses buildup as doublets or higher—or as the detailed example; Polarizing beam splitters.

Abstract: An eyepiece lens system forms a magnified virtual image of an object to be observed, the system including: a first group disposed adjacent to an image display device and having negative refractive power; and a second group disposed adjacent to the first group on a side closer to an eye and having positive refractive power; the first group including a cemented doublet lens of a biconcave lens and a biconvex lens, the second group including two or three positive lenses, being telecentric on the object side. The eyepiece lens system has satisfactory telecentricity on the object side and satisfactorily corrects aberration.

Abstract: Zoom lens assembly formed of a number of lens groups on a track. The lens groups can be moved on the track to form different lens effects such as zoom. The devices sense an end of travel in one direction using a hardware device. All the positions are relative to that end of travel, based on values stored in a memory, and by using the memory to drive the lens groups on the track.

Abstract: A zoom lens comprises a first lens unit G1 having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit G2 having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit G3 having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens unit G4 having a negative refractive power, a fifth lens unit G5, and a sixth lens unit G6 having a positive refractive power. Zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end is carried out by changing a distance between the lens units, and a distance between the first lens unit G1 and the third lens unit G3 narrows at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end, and the first lens unit G1 is stationary at the time of zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, and lens units from the second lens unit G2 to the fifth lens unit G5 move.

Abstract: A focus adjusting optical lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second lens element has negative refractive power. The third lens element has refractive power. The fourth lens element with negative refractive power has a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface. The fifth lens element with refractive power has a concave image-side surface at a paraxial region, wherein the image-side surface of the fifth lens element changes from concave at the paraxial region to convex at a peripheral region, and both of an object-side surface and the image-side surface of the fifth lens element are aspheric.

Abstract: A Fresnel lens includes an incident surface that is flat, and a prism-forming surface that has a plurality of prisms, the prism-forming surface being provided on the side of the Fresnel lens opposite to the incident surface. Each of the prisms has a converging surface that is located on the side away from the optical axis of the Fresnel lens.

Abstract: The endoscope objective lens is configured such that focusing from the farthest object to the nearest object is achieved by moving at least one lens group other than the most object-side lens group along the optical axis. One of the at least one lens group to be moved during focusing is a negative lens group. The one negative lens group that is moved during the focusing consists of a cemented lens that is formed by a positive lens and a negative lens cemented together in this order from the object side. The cemented surface of the cemented lens is oriented such that the concave surface faces the object side. Given conditional expressions are satisfied.

Abstract: An optical imaging lens set from an object side toward an image side along an optical axis in order includes: a first lens element having an image-side surface with a convex portion in a vicinity of its circular periphery, a second lens element having an object-side surface with a convex portion in a vicinity of its optical axis, a third lens element having an object-side surface with a concave portion in a vicinity of its optical axis, a fourth lens element with positive refractive power, and a plastic fifth lens element having an image-side surface with a concave portion in a vicinity of its optical axis.

Abstract: A lens unit (LU) holding at least two lenses (4, 5) in a lens frame (1) adjacently in the optical axis direction and provided with positioning protrusions (2c, 2d) formed in correspondence with each of the two lenses (4, 5) in at least three separate locations in the peripheral direction of the lens frame (1), protruding from the inner surface of the lens frame (1) and contacting a peripheral surface of a corresponding lens to position the corresponding lens relative to the lens frame (1), an adhesive filling space (GSP1) formed between the peripheral surface of each of the two lenses (4, 5) and the inner surface of the lens frame (1) in overlap with the two lenses (4, 5), and an adhesive injection hole (1c) formed in the lens frame (1) in communication with the adhesive filling space (GSP1).

Abstract: A driving apparatus includes a first axial member that is arranged so as to extend in a predetermined direction, where the predetermined direction is the axial direction of the first axial member, and a driving unit that is configured to generate a first driving force in the axial direction and a second driving force in a direction intersecting the axial direction, where the first and second driving forces are to be applied to the first axial member.

Abstract: To reduce the length of the lens barrel, a vibration actuator has a vibrating element, a rotor, a pressing portion, a rotor holder that restricts a position of the rotor in the thrust and radial direction, and a bearing of which a rotation axis is coaxial with the axis of the vibrating element. The rotor holder includes an outer flange to receive the pressure force from the rotor portion, and an inner flange to serve as a first track face of the bearing.

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly has a mirror retention plate having two parallel free edges and a replaceable mirror plate having a first surface to which the mirror is attached and a second surface opposite said first surface. The second surface has two parallel edges which includes projections on one of said edges able to retain one of said edges of the retention plate. On the second edge of said second surface of the mirror plate is a releasable locking mechanisms engageable with the other of said free edges of the retention plate. This allows the mirror plate to be simply snapped into position and released by triggering the release mechanism.

Abstract: An assembly and method for installing a viewing window into a single hole in a panel of an enclosure from a single side. A viewing window assembly comprises actuators and attachment members configurable to allow the attachment members to pass through a hole in a panel from a front side. Upon actuation of the actuators, the attachment members may engage one or both of the back surface of the panel and the inner edge of the hole therein in order to secure the window assembly to the panel.

Abstract: A method for reducing skew angle variation range in a shingled magnetic recording system, the method including the following steps: 1) determining whether a starting magnetic track is in an inner recording zone, if yes, the process proceeds to step (2), otherwise the process proceeds to step (4); 2) using an inner writing corner to start shingled magnetic recording at a starting track; 3) using a shingled magnetic method to write rest magnetic tracks sequentially by the inner writing corner, keeping a writing pole moving in a direction from an inner recording zone to an outer recording zone; 4) determining whether the starting magnetic track is in the outer recording zone; 5) using an outer writing corner to start shingled magnetic recording at the starting track; and 6) using the shingled magnetic method to write the rest magnetic tracks sequentially by the outer writing corner.

Abstract: There is provided a spindle motor including: a rotating member including a protrusion portion protruded so as to form a clearance narrower than a bearing clearance; and a fixed member having a protrusion corresponding portion protruded so as to be disposed to face the protrusion portion and rotatably supporting the rotating member, wherein the protrusion portion includes a thrust dynamic pressure groove formed therein in order to generate thrust fluid dynamic pressure and has a radial length smaller than that of the protrusion corresponding portion disposed to face the thrust dynamic pressure groove and having a flat surface.

Abstract: A method of reading and writing a magnetic recording medium using a magnetic head that has an element portion, the magnetic recording medium including a base, a metal film formed on the base, a protective film formed on the metal film, and a lubricating film formed on the protective film. The method includes reading and writing the magnetic recording medium while positioning the element portion of the magnetic head in the lubricating film.

Abstract: A magnetic element capable of reading data may generally be configured at least with a magnetic seed lamination disposed between a data reader stack and a magnetic shield. The magnetic seed lamination may be constructed at least with one magnetic layer coupled to the bottom shield and at least one non-magnetic layer decoupling the data reader stack from the at least one magnetic layer.

Abstract: There is provided a base assembly including a base member formed of a metal plate to be molded by plastic working and including a coupling part formed at an edge thereof, and a strength reinforcing member formed of metal and coupled to the coupling part, wherein the strength reinforcing member has a thickness greater than that of the base member to prevent deformation of the base member.

Abstract: A magnetic element is generally provided that can be implemented as a data reader. Various embodiments may connect a magnetic stack to a top shield and separate the magnetic stack from a bi-layer side shield. The bi-layer side shield may have a fixed magnetization layer and a soft magnetic layer each magnetically isolated from the top shield.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a magnetic medium that includes a substrate and a bit patterned magnetic layer applied to the substrate. The bit-patterned magnetic layer includes islands and each island includes a first magnetic material having a first magnetic anisotropy and that has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a peripheral surface. Each island also includes a second magnetic material covering the peripheral surface of the first magnetic material and having a second magnetic anisotropy that is higher than the first magnetic anisotropy. In one embodiment, the first magnetic material may comprise a nucleation domain in a centrally located surface portion of the magnetic islands and/or the second magnetic material may comprise an outer shell on the peripheral surface of the islands.