Name:	pacb_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGainAccumulatedInInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	pacb_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of accumulated pre-tax unrealized loss before deducting pre-tax unrealized gain on investments in available-for-sale securities impacting investments.

No definition available.

Name:	pacb_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossAccumulatedInInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	pacb_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of investment in debt and equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	instant

This item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments including accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings (less any cumulative-effect adjustments recognized, as defined), and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, if any.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember
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Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_USGovernmentCorporationsAndAgenciesSecuritiesMember
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Data Type:	na
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Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_InvestmentsMember
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Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_CommercialPaperNotIncludedWithCashAndCashEquivalentsMember
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Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
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