Amount of the required annual lease payments.

No definition available.

Name:	axti_AnnualLeasePayment
Namespace Prefix:	axti_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Term of the lessor's leasing arrangement rental receivable, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days, after which the rental is subject to an increase, as defined in the lease agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axti_LessorLeasingArrangementsOperatingLeasesRentalIncreasePeriod
Namespace Prefix:	axti_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents number of equity investment entities to which the entity had made loan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axti_NumberOfEquityInvestmentEntities
Namespace Prefix:	axti_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents total number of installments in which the loan amount is to be received.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axti_NumberOfInstallmentsOfLoanReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	axti_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the percentage of the increase in annual lease payment at each third year anniversary under operating lease agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axti_PercentageOfIncreaseInAnnualLeasePaymentAtEachThirdYearAnniversary
Namespace Prefix:	axti_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of loan receivable, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axti_TermOfLoan
Namespace Prefix:	axti_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount for accounts payable to related parties. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39603-107864

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39622-107864

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(k)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccountsPayableRelatedPartiesCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of receivables arising from transactions with related parties due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3(a)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39603-107864

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(k)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39622-107864

+ Details

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

- Definition

Area of a real estate property.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:areaItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Term of the lessor's leasing arrangement, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LessorLeasingArrangementsOperatingLeasesTermOfContract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amounts due from parties associated with the reporting entity as evidenced by a written promise to pay, due within 1 year (or 1 business cycle).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3(a)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Related Parties
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=16382449

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(k)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amounts due from parties associated with the reporting entity as evidenced by a written promise to pay, due after 1 year (or 1 business cycle).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Related Parties
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=16382449

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08(k)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(3)(a)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(11))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of transactions with related party during the financial reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39603-107864

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39622-107864

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAmountsOfTransaction
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reflects the sum of all other revenue and income realized from sales and other transactions (excluding transactions that are eliminated in consolidated or combined financial statements) with related party during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionOtherRevenuesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Identify the stated interest rate per the agreement, for example, leasing and debt arrangements between related parties.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Revenues
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=axti_BeijingJiyaSemiconductorMaterialCoLtdMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis=axti_LoanToRelatedPartyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis=axti_RawMaterialsPurchasesFromRelatedPartyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=axti_AccountsPayableBalanceSheetLocationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=axti_BeijingTongmeiXtalTechnologyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis=axti_RawMaterialsSalesToRelatedPartyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=axti_AccountsReceivableBalanceSheetLocationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis=axti_RawMaterialAgencySalesAgreementWithRelatedPartyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=axti_NanjingJinMeiGalliumCoLtdMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=axti_DonghaiCountyDongfangHighPurityElectronicMaterialsCoLtdMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=axti_EmeishanJiaMeiHighPurityMetalsCoLtdMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=axti_XilingolTongliGermaniumCoLtdMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=axti_BeijingKaideQuartzCoLtdMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=axti_BeijingBoyuSemiconductorVesselCraftworkTechnologyCoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis=axti_LeaseOfLandToRelatedPartyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=us-gaap_ExecutiveOfficerMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=axti_BeijingBoyuSemiconductorVesselCraftworkTechnologyCoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Related Party Transactions (Details)	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions (Details)	Apr. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2011 USD ($) item	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) ft² installment	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party notes receivable - long term						$ 157,000
Additional revenue				$ 20,616,000	$ 18,713,000
Area of leased property (in square feet) \| ft²				19,467
Principal and interest on loan				$ 159,000
Equity investment entity \| Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Additional revenue				$ 0
Equity investment entity \| Related party loan \| Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amount of transaction			$ 1,600,000
Number of equity method investees to whom loan was granted \| item			1
Term of loan				2 years 10 months
Number of installments \| installment				3
Equity investment entity \| Related party loan \| Other Assets [Member] \| Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party notes receivable - long term				$ 1,300,000		1,400,000
Equity investment entity \| Raw materials purchases from related party \| Accounts payable \| Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amount payable to related party				1,900,000		1,800,000
Equity investment entity \| Raw materials purchases from related party \| Accounts payable \| Beijing Tongmei Xtal Technology
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amount payable to related party				146,000		146,000
Equity investment entity \| Raw materials sales to related party \| Accounts receivable \| Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amounts receivable from related party				315,000		313,000
Equity investment entity \| Raw material agency sales agreement \| Other income, net \| Nanjing JinMei Gallium Co., Ltd
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Other income from related party				1,000	$ 0
Donghai County Dongfang High Purity Electronic Materials Co., Ltd \| Related party loan \| Beijing Tongmei Xtal Technology
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amount of transaction		$ 44,000
Related party notes receivable - long term				$ 52,000
Interest rate (as a percent)				6.15%
Donghai County Dongfang High Purity Electronic Materials Co., Ltd \| Raw materials purchases from related party \| Beijing Tongmei Xtal Technology
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party notes receivable - long term				$ 107,000		107,000
Donghai County Dongfang High Purity Electronic Materials Co., Ltd \| Raw materials purchases from related party \| Accounts payable \| Beijing Tongmei Xtal Technology
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amount payable to related party				233,000		210,000
Emei Shan Jiamei Materials Co., Ltd \| Raw materials purchases from related party \| Accounts payable \| Beijing Tongmei Xtal Technology
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amount payable to related party				275,000		377,000
Xilingol Tongli Germanium Co. Ltd \| Raw materials purchases from related party \| Accounts payable \| Beijing Tongmei Xtal Technology
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amount payable to related party				596,000		246,000
Beijing Kaide Quartz Co. Ltd \| Raw materials purchases from related party \| Accounts payable
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amount payable to related party				$ 315,000		$ 323,000
Beijing BoYu Semiconductor Vessel Craftwork Technology Co \| Lease of land \| Beijing Tongmei Xtal Technology
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Area of leased property (in square feet) \| ft²				22,081
Lease term				10 years
Annual lease payment				$ 24,000
Increase in annual lease payment at each third year anniversary (in hundredths)				5.00%
Rental increase period				3 years
Executive officer \| Related party loan \| Beijing BoYu Semiconductor Vessel Craftwork Technology Co
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amount of transaction	$ 174,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	2.75%