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Investments in Privately-held Companies (Details) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Summary of investments [Abstract]      
Income allocated to minority interests $ 3,040,000 $ 5,503,000 $ 1,723,000
Equity investments classified as other assets 14,275,000 14,101,000  
AXT, Inc [Member]
      
Summary of investments [Abstract]      
Gross equity earnings (losses) from minority-owned joint ventures that are not consolidated, recorded as other income 5,665,000 2,900,000 973,000
Summarized income information of all the minority investment entities that are not consolidated and accounted for under the equity method [Abstract]      
Net Sales 32,858,000 21,340,000 13,009,000
Gross profit 11,057,000 7,576,000 3,697,000
Operating income 6,310,000 3,819,000 899,000
Net income 5,665,000 2,900,000 973,000
Equity Method Investments [Member]
      
Summary of investments [Abstract]      
Equity Method Investment by Parent 7,326,000 7,049,000  
Number of consolidated joint ventures 3    
Income from three consolidated joint ventures 7,400,000 12,500,000 5,300,000
Income allocated to minority interests 3,040,000 5,503,000 1,723,000
Net income from joint ventures attributable to parent 4,400,000 7,000,000 3,600,000
Number of equity investment entities 3   2
Gross equity earnings (losses) from minority-owned joint ventures that are not consolidated, recorded as other income 379,000 520,000 259,000
Net income generated by all joint ventures, consolidated and equity method investments 4,700,000 7,600,000 3,800,000
Equity investments classified as other assets 7,300,000 7,000,000  
Minority investment in consolidated joint venture, included in other assets 2,000,000 1,300,000  
Summarized income information of all the minority investment entities that are not consolidated and accounted for under the equity method [Abstract]      
Net income 379,000 520,000 259,000
Joint Ventures [Member]
      
Summary of investments [Abstract]      
Gross equity earnings (losses) from minority-owned joint ventures that are not consolidated, recorded as other income 1,281,000 741,000 259,000
Summarized income information of all the minority investment entities that are not consolidated and accounted for under the equity method [Abstract]      
Net Sales 8,091,000 5,196,000 3,252,000
Gross profit 2,643,000 1,814,000 924,000
Operating income 1,409,000 863,000 225,000
Net income 1,281,000 741,000 259,000
Summarized balance sheet information of all the minority investment entities that are not consolidated and accounted for under the equity method [Abstract]      
Current assets 20,594,000 17,392,000  
Noncurrent assets 37,555,000 33,778,000  
Current Liabilities 20,772,000 16,708,000  
Noncurrent liabilities 2,873,000 3,806,000  
Minority investment entities      
Dividends received 277,000 357,000 0
Undistributed retained earnings 4,300,000 3,300,000  
Majority-owned Subsidiaries [Member]
      
Summary of investments [Abstract]      
Investments, consolidated 4,333,000 1,998,000  
Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd [Member] | Majority-owned Subsidiaries [Member]
      
Summary of investments [Abstract]      
Investments, consolidated 3,331,000 996,000  
Percentage of ownership, consolidated method (in hundredths) 46.00%    
Nanjing Jin Mei Gallium Co., Ltd [Member] | Majority-owned Subsidiaries [Member]
      
Summary of investments [Abstract]      
Investments, consolidated 592,000 592,000  
Percentage of ownership, consolidated method (in hundredths) 83.00%    
Beijing BoYu Semiconductor Vessel Craftwork Technology Co., Ltd [Member] | Majority-owned Subsidiaries [Member]
      
Summary of investments [Abstract]      
Investments, consolidated 410,000 410,000  
Percentage of ownership, consolidated method (in hundredths) 70.00%    
Xilingol Tongli Germanium Co. Ltd [Member] | Equity Method Investments [Member]
      
Summary of investments [Abstract]      
Equity Method Investment by Parent 4,246,000 3,881,000  
Percentage of ownership, equity method (in hundredths) 25.00%    
Donghai County Dongfang High Purity Electronic Materials Co., Ltd [Member] | Equity Method Investments [Member]
      
Summary of investments [Abstract]      
Equity Method Investment by Parent 2,038,000 2,167,000  
Percentage of ownership, equity method (in hundredths) 46.00%    
Emeishan Jia Mei High Purity Metals Co., Ltd [Member] | Equity Method Investments [Member]
      
Summary of investments [Abstract]      
Equity Method Investment by Parent $ 1,042,000 $ 1,001,000  
Percentage of ownership, equity method (in hundredths) 25.00%