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Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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Net Income per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Numerator [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to AXT, Inc	$ (311)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 644us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 319us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ (2,040)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ (1,228)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ (2,295)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ (2,035)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ (2,400)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ (1,388)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ (7,958)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 3,110us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Less: Preferred stock dividends									(177)	(177)	(177)
Net income (loss) to common stockholders									$ (1,565)	$ (8,135)	$ 2,933
Denominator [Abstract]
Weighted average common shares (basic)									32,452	32,700	32,144
Effect of Dilutive Securities on Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Weighted average common shares (dilutive)									32,452	32,700	32,865
Basic net income (loss) per share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to AXT, Inc (in dollars per share)									$ (0.05)	$ (0.25)	$ 0.10
Net income to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.02us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.01us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ (0.06)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ (0.04)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ (0.07)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ (0.06)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ (0.08)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ (0.05)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ (0.25)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.09us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Diluted net income (loss) per share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to AXT, Inc (in dollars per share)									$ (0.05)	$ (0.25)	$ 0.09
Net income to common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.02us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.01us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ (0.06)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ (0.04)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ (0.07)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ (0.06)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ (0.08)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ (0.05)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ (0.25)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.09us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Securities excluded from diluted net income per share as the impact is anti-dilutive (in shares)									252	241	13
Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Securities excluded from diluted net income per share as the impact is anti-dilutive (in shares)									2,772	2,671	1,056
Common stock options [Member]
Effect of Dilutive Securities on Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)									0	0	689
Restricted stock [Member]
Effect of Dilutive Securities on Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)									0	0	32