XML 63 R49.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT  v2.3.0.11

Chief Executive Officer Transition (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011
Chief Executive Officer Transition
Payments and benefits in cash	$ 2,000,000
Benefits payable on final day of each month in year one	83,333
Benefits payable on final day of each month in year two	50,000
Benefits payable on final day of each month in year three	50,000
Severance costs	2,700,000
Stock compensation expense related to outstanding stock options	600,000
Severance benefits under the Agreement	$ 2,100,000

X

- Definition

Chief Executive Officer Transition [Abstract]

+ Details

Name:	amsc_ChiefExecutiveOfficerTransitionAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	amsc
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Defined benefit plan expected future benefit payments payable on final day of each month in year one.

+ Details

Name:	amsc_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPayableOnFinalDayOfEachMonthInYearOne
Namespace Prefix:	amsc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Defined benefit plan expected future benefit payable on final day of each month in year three.

+ Details

Name:	amsc_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPayableOnFinalDayOfEachMonthInYearThree
Namespace Prefix:	amsc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Defined benefit plan expected future benefit payable on final day of each month in year two.

+ Details

Name:	amsc_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedFutureBenefitPayableOnFinalDayOfEachMonthInYearTwo
Namespace Prefix:	amsc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Severance benefits under the Agreement.

+ Details

Name:	amsc_SeveranceBenefitsUnderAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	amsc
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The amount of payments made for which participants are entitled under a pension plan, including pension benefits, death benefits, and benefits due on termination of employment. Also includes payments made under a postretirement benefit plan, including prescription drug benefits, health care benefits, life insurance benefits, and legal, educational and advisory services.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph a, b

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 106
-Paragraph 518

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 87
-Paragraph 264

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS106-2
-Paragraph 22

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitsPaid
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The charge against earnings in the period for known and estimated costs of termination benefits provided to current employees that are involuntarily terminated under a benefit arrangement associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding costs or losses pertaining to an entity newly acquired in a business combination or a discontinued operation as defined by generally accepted accounting principles and costs associated with one-time termination benefits.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5-8

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 146
-Paragraph 8-13, 20

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 5
-Section P
-Subsection 3, 4

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)
-Number FAS146-1

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 112
-Paragraph 7

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SeveranceCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The noncash expense that accounts for the value of stock options distributed to employees as compensation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph 64

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 123R
-Paragraph A240
-Subparagraph i

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockOptionPlanExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration