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Employee Benefit Plans and Stock-based Compensation (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
May 31, 2013
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]          
Weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted (in dollars per share) $ 1.17us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue $ 1.09us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue $ 1.79us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue    
Weighted average assumptions [Abstract]          
Expected term 4 years 1 month 6 days 4 years 4 years    
Volatility (in hundredths) 63.20%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate 59.20%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate 72.87%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate    
Expected dividend (in hundredths) 0.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate 0.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate 0.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate    
Risk-free interest rate (in hundredths) 1.85%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate 0.98%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate 0.57%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate    
Retirement Savings Plan [Abstract]          
Period after which all full time employees are eligible to participate in the savings plan 90 days        
Maximum percentage of employer matching contribution if employees contribute at least 6% of base pay (in hundredths) 4.00%axti_MaximumPercentageOfEmployerMatchingContributionIfEmployeesContributeAtLeastSixPercent        
Minimum percentage of employee contribution to get 4% of employer's contribution (in hundredths) 6.00%axti_MinimumPercentageOfEmployeeContributionToGetFourPercentOfEmployerSContribution        
Contributions to the retirement savings plans $ 115,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount $ 110,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount $ 900,000us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount    
Common stock [Abstract]          
Common stock reserved for future issuance 4,462,235us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance        
Exercise price ranges of options outstanding and exercisable [Abstract]          
Options outstanding, shares (in shares) 3,198,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions        
Weighted-average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 3.12us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1        
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life 6 years 11 months 12 days        
Options Vested and Exercisable Shares (in shares) 1,859,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions        
Option Vested and Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 3.46us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1        
Stock-based compensation in the form of employee stock options and restricted stock [Abstract]          
Total stock-based compensation 1,129,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense 1,277,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense 1,215,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense    
Tax effect on stock-based compensation 0us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense 0us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense 0us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense    
Net effect on net income 1,129,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax 1,277,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax 1,215,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax    
Shares used in computing basic net income per share (in shares) 32,452,000us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic 32,700,000us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic 32,144,000us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic    
Shares used in computing diluted net income per share (in shares) 32,452,000us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding 32,700,000us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding 32,865,000us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding    
Effect on basic net income per share (in dollars per share) $ (0.03)axti_EffectOfStockBasedCompensationOnBasicEarningsPerShare $ (0.04)axti_EffectOfStockBasedCompensationOnBasicEarningsPerShare $ (0.04)axti_EffectOfStockBasedCompensationOnBasicEarningsPerShare    
Effect on diluted net income per share (in dollars per share) $ (0.03)axti_EffectOfStockBasedCompensationOnDilutedEarningsPerShare $ (0.04)axti_EffectOfStockBasedCompensationOnDilutedEarningsPerShare $ (0.04)axti_EffectOfStockBasedCompensationOnDilutedEarningsPerShare    
$1.33 - $1.59 [Member]          
Exercise price ranges of options outstanding and exercisable [Abstract]          
Range of exercise price, minimum (in dollars per share) $ 1.33us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeOneMember
       
Range of exercise price, maximum (in dollars per share) $ 1.59us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeOneMember
       
Options outstanding, shares (in shares) 401,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeOneMember
       
Weighted-average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 1.52us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeOneMember
       
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life 3 years 3 months 29 days        
Options Vested and Exercisable Shares (in shares) 401,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeOneMember
       
Option Vested and Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 1.52us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeOneMember
       
$1.91 - $1.91 [Member]          
Exercise price ranges of options outstanding and exercisable [Abstract]          
Range of exercise price, minimum (in dollars per share) $ 1.91us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeTwoMember
       
Range of exercise price, maximum (in dollars per share) $ 1.91us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeTwoMember
       
Options outstanding, shares (in shares) 4,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeTwoMember
       
Weighted-average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 1.91us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeTwoMember
       
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life 0 years 10 months 13 days        
Options Vested and Exercisable Shares (in shares) 4,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeTwoMember
       
Option Vested and Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 1.91us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeTwoMember
       
$2.04 - $2.04 [Member]          
Exercise price ranges of options outstanding and exercisable [Abstract]          
Range of exercise price, minimum (in dollars per share) $ 2.04us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeThreeMember
       
Range of exercise price, maximum (in dollars per share) $ 2.04us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeThreeMember
       
Options outstanding, shares (in shares) 333,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeThreeMember
       
Weighted-average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 2.04us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeThreeMember
       
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life 4 years 9 months 25 days        
Options Vested and Exercisable Shares (in shares) 333,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeThreeMember
       
Option Vested and Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 2.04us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeThreeMember
       
$2.14 - $2.29 [Member]          
Exercise price ranges of options outstanding and exercisable [Abstract]          
Range of exercise price, minimum (in dollars per share) $ 2.14us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeFourMember
       
Range of exercise price, maximum (in dollars per share) $ 2.29us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeFourMember
       
Options outstanding, shares (in shares) 252,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeFourMember
       
Weighted-average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 2.26us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeFourMember
       
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life 9 years 4 months 24 days        
Options Vested and Exercisable Shares (in shares) 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeFourMember
       
Option Vested and Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 0us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeFourMember
       
$2.36 - $2.36 [Member]          
Exercise price ranges of options outstanding and exercisable [Abstract]          
Range of exercise price, minimum (in dollars per share) $ 2.36us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeFiveMember
       
Range of exercise price, maximum (in dollars per share) $ 2.36us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeFiveMember
       
Options outstanding, shares (in shares) 428,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeFiveMember
       
Weighted-average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 2.36us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeFiveMember
       
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life 8 years 10 months 2 days        
Options Vested and Exercisable Shares (in shares) 116,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeFiveMember
       
Option Vested and Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 2.36us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeFiveMember
       
$2.47 - $2.47 [Member]          
Exercise price ranges of options outstanding and exercisable [Abstract]          
Range of exercise price, minimum (in dollars per share) $ 2.47us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeSixMember
       
Range of exercise price, maximum (in dollars per share) $ 2.47us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeSixMember
       
Options outstanding, shares (in shares) 460,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeSixMember
       
Weighted-average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 2.47us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeSixMember
       
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life 9 years 10 months 2 days        
Options Vested and Exercisable Shares (in shares) 0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeSixMember
       
Option Vested and Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 0us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeSixMember
       
$2.91 - $2.91 [Member]          
Exercise price ranges of options outstanding and exercisable [Abstract]          
Range of exercise price, minimum (in dollars per share) $ 2.91us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeSevenMember
       
Range of exercise price, maximum (in dollars per share) $ 2.91us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeSevenMember
       
Options outstanding, shares (in shares) 444,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeSevenMember
       
Weighted-average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 2.91us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeSevenMember
       
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life 7 years 10 months 6 days        
Options Vested and Exercisable Shares (in shares) 231,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeSevenMember
       
Option Vested and Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 2.91us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeSevenMember
       
$3.18 - $4.09 [Member]          
Exercise price ranges of options outstanding and exercisable [Abstract]          
Range of exercise price, minimum (in dollars per share) $ 3.18us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeEightMember
       
Range of exercise price, maximum (in dollars per share) $ 4.09us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeEightMember
       
Options outstanding, shares (in shares) 29,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeEightMember
       
Weighted-average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 3.85us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeEightMember
       
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life 6 years 3 months 22 days        
Options Vested and Exercisable Shares (in shares) 20,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeEightMember
       
Option Vested and Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 3.84us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeEightMember
       
$4.79 - $4.79 [Member]          
Exercise price ranges of options outstanding and exercisable [Abstract]          
Range of exercise price, minimum (in dollars per share) $ 4.79us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeNineMember
       
Range of exercise price, maximum (in dollars per share) $ 4.79us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeNineMember
       
Options outstanding, shares (in shares) 330,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeNineMember
       
Weighted-average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 4.79us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeNineMember
       
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life 6 years 9 months 25 days        
Options Vested and Exercisable Shares (in shares) 262,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeNineMember
       
Option Vested and Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 4.79us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeNineMember
       
$4.81 - $7.82 [Member]          
Exercise price ranges of options outstanding and exercisable [Abstract]          
Range of exercise price, minimum (in dollars per share) $ 4.81us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeTenMember
       
Range of exercise price, maximum (in dollars per share) $ 7.82us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeTenMember
       
Options outstanding, shares (in shares) 517,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeTenMember
       
Weighted-average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 5.79us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeTenMember
       
Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Life 5 years 2 months 1 day        
Options Vested and Exercisable Shares (in shares) 492,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfExercisableOptions
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeTenMember
       
Option Vested and Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share) $ 5.80us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePrice1
/ us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis
= axti_PriceRangeTenMember
       
Cost of revenue [Member]          
Stock-based compensation in the form of employee stock options and restricted stock [Abstract]          
Total stock-based compensation 18,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
22,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
78,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
   
Selling, general and administrative [Member]          
Stock-based compensation in the form of employee stock options and restricted stock [Abstract]          
Total stock-based compensation 938,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
1,091,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
1,000,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
   
Research and development [Member]          
Stock-based compensation in the form of employee stock options and restricted stock [Abstract]          
Total stock-based compensation 173,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseMember
164,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseMember
137,000us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseMember
   
Stock Options [Member]          
Common stock [Abstract]          
Common stock reserved for future issuance 3,197,840us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
       
Restricted Stock [Member]          
Common stock [Abstract]          
Common stock reserved for future issuance 261,497us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
       
1997 Stock Option Plan [Member]          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Number of shares authorized for issuance (in shares) 5,423,583us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_StockOptionPlanMember
       
Terms of award 10 years        
Number of shares available for grant (in shares) 1,928,994us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_StockOptionPlanMember
       
1997 Stock Option Plan [Member] | Stock Options [Member]          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Vesting period, minimum 4 years        
Vesting percentage as the end of first year (in hundredths) 25.00%us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_StockOptionPlanMember
       
Vesting percentage per month after first year (in hundredths) 2.10%axti_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentageEachMonthAfterYearOne
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_StockOptionPlanMember
       
Award vesting rights Options granted under the 1997 Plan generally vest 25% at the end of one year and 2.1% each month thereafter, with full vesting after four years.        
1997 Stock Option Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Vesting period if vesting is based on a performance measure 5 years        
2007 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Number of shares authorized for issuance (in shares) 1,300,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
      2,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
Terms of award 10 years        
Number of shares available for grant (in shares) 1,003,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
       
Common stock [Abstract]          
Common stock reserved for future issuance 1,002,898us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
       
2007 Equity Incentive Plan [Member] | Stock Options [Member]          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Vesting period, minimum 3 years        
Award vesting rights Stock options or stock appreciation rights generally shall not be fully vested over a period of less than three years from the date of grant        
Number of options outstanding [Roll Forward]          
Options outstanding, beginning of period (in shares) 2,671,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
2,727,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
2,380,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
   
Granted (in shares) 712,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
488,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
592,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
   
Exercised (in shares) (111,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
(331,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
(136,000)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
   
Canceled and expired (in shares) (74,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
(213,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
(109,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
   
Options outstanding, end of period (in shares) 3,198,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
2,671,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
2,727,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
2,380,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
 
Options vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2014 (in shares) 3,198,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
       
Options exercisable as of December 31, 2014 (in shares) 1,859,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
       
Weighted average exercise price [Roll Forward]          
Options outstanding, beginning of period (in dollars per share) $ 3.29us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
$ 3.28us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
$ 3.25us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
   
Granted (in dollars per share) $ 2.40us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
$ 2.38us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
$ 3.32us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
   
Exercised (in dollars per share) $ 1.21us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
$ 1.62us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
$ 2.17us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
   
Canceled and expired (in dollars per share) $ 5.18us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
$ 3.60us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
$ 4.25us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
   
Options outstanding, end of period (in dollars per share) $ 3.12us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
$ 3.29us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
$ 3.28us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
$ 3.25us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
 
Options vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2014 (in dollars per share) $ 3.12us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
       
Options exercisable as of December 31, 2014 (in dollars per share) $ 3.46us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
       
Weighted average Remaining Contractual Life [Abstract]          
Options outstanding, beginning of period 6 years 11 months 12 days 6 years 8 months 16 days 6 years 8 months 16 days 6 years 3 months  
Options outstanding, end of period 6 years 11 months 12 days 6 years 8 months 16 days 6 years 8 months 16 days 6 years 3 months  
Options vested and expected to vest, end of period 6 years 11 months 12 days        
Option exercisable, end of period 5 years 5 months 23 days        
Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]          
Options outstanding, beginning of period 893,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
1,353,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
3,456,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
   
Options outstanding, end of period 1,247,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
893,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
1,353,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
3,456,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
 
Options vested and expected to vest, end of period 1,247,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingAggregateIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
       
Options exercisable, end of period 821,000us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
       
Intrinsic value of options exercised 105,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
331,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
392,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
   
Compensation costs related to unvested stock options not yet recognized 1,600,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedStockOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
       
Value of estimated forfeitures 57,000axti_ShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsEstimatedForfeitures
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
       
Weighted-average period of amortization 2 years 9 months 18 days        
2007 Equity Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Vesting period, minimum 3 years        
Vesting period if vesting is based on a performance measure 12 months        
Award vesting rights Restricted stock, restricted stock units, and performance awards generally shall not vest faster than over a three-year period (or a twelve-month period if vesting is based on a performance measure)        
Shares [Roll Forward]          
Non-vested, beginning of period (in shares) 241,232us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
238,723us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
223,127us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
   
Granted (in shares) 121,044us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
103,636us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
113,768us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
   
Vested (in shares) (100,779)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
(85,127)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
(98,172)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
   
Forfeited (in shares)   (16,000)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
     
Non-vested, end of period (in shares) 261,497us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
241,232us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
238,723us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
   
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]          
Non-vested, beginning of period (in dollars per share) $ 3.44us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
$ 4.27us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
$ 4.47us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
   
Granted (in dollars per share) $ 2.34us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
$ 2.52us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
$ 3.18us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
   
Vested (in dollars per share) $ 4.01us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
$ 4.56us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
$ 3.42us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
   
Forfeited (in dollars per share)   $ 4.03us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
     
Non-vested, end of period (in dollars per share) $ 2.71us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
$ 3.44us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
$ 4.27us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
   
Total fair value of restricted stock awards vested 405,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
389,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
336,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
   
Unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock awards $ 596,000us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions
/ us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis
= us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= axti_EquityIncentivePlanMember
       
Weighted average remaining contractual terms 2 years 6 months