Intevac (IVAC) 10-K 17 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Feb. 12, 2015	Jun. 28, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	3-Jan-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	IVAC
Entity Registrant Name	INTEVAC INC
Entity Central Index Key	1001902
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-2
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		23,300,170
Entity Public Float			$105,633,087

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$21,482	$20,121
Short-term investments	29,598	48,975
Trade and other accounts receivable, net of allowances of $0 at both January 3, 2015 and December 31, 2013 .	12,087	15,037
Inventories	19,212	22,762
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,727	1,237
Total current assets	84,106	108,132
Property, plant and equipment, net	12,826	12,945
Long-term investments	17,542	12,318
Restricted cash	1,780
Intangible assets, net of amortization of $4,421 and $3,485 at January 3, 2015 and December 31, 2013, respectively	3,966	4,902
Deferred income taxes and other long-term assets	55	9,979
Total assets	120,275	148,276
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	4,640	4,011
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	3,977	5,034
Other accrued liabilities	8,272	3,263
Customer advances	2,551	3,743
Deferred income taxes	5	939
Total current liabilities	19,445	16,990
Other long-term liabilities	2,200	1,715
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Undesignated preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding
Common stock, $0.001 par value : Authorized shares - 50,000 issued and outstanding shares - 23,275 and 23,767 at January 3, 2015 and December 31, 2013, respectively	23	24
Additional paid-in-capital	161,271	156,359
Treasury stock, 1,426 and 241 shares at January 3, 2015 and December 31, 2013, respectively	-9,989	-1,688
Accumulated other comprehensive income	619	725
Accumulated deficit	-53,294	-25,849
Total stockholders' equity	98,630	129,571
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$120,275	$148,276

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Net of allowances of trade, note and other accounts receivable	$0	$0
Net of amortization of intangible assets	$4,421	$3,485
Undesignated preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Undesignated preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Undesignated preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Undesignated preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	23,275,000	23,767,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	23,275,000	23,767,000
Treasury stock, shares	1,426,000	241,000

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net revenues:
Systems and components	$54,463	$55,188	$67,669
Technology development	11,087	14,444	15,755
Total net revenues	65,550	69,632	83,424
Cost of net revenues:
Systems and components	40,284	36,356	37,932
Technology development	7,833	11,303	11,334
Total cost of net revenues	48,117	47,659	49,266
Gross profit	17,433	21,973	34,158
Operating expenses:
Research and development	15,832	21,037	31,762
Selling, general and administrative	21,205	22,278	25,919
Acquisition-related (benefit), net	-250	-3,727	-219
Bad debt expense			3,017
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets			18,419
Total operating expenses	36,787	39,588	78,898
Gain (loss) on divestitures		-208	2,207
Operating loss	-19,354	-17,823	-42,533
Interest income	179	279	806
Other income (expense), net	158	126	-352
Income (loss) before income taxes	-19,017	-17,418	-42,079
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	8,428	-1,722	13,240
Net loss	($27,445)	($15,696)	($55,319)
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted	($1.16)	($0.66)	($2.37)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted	23,671	23,832	23,336

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Com

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net loss	($27,445)	($15,696)	($55,319)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax
Change in unrealized net loss on available-for-sale investments	-35	-41	486
Foreign currency translation gains (losses)	-71	-3	13
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	-106	-44	499
Income tax expense related to items in other comprehensive income			-144
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-106	-44	355
Comprehensive loss	($27,551)	($15,740)	($54,964)

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$191,910	$23	$146,307		$414	$45,166
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		23,122,000
Shares issued in connection with:
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		43,000
Exercise of stock options	143		143
Employee stock purchase plan (in shares)	301,000	301,000
Employee stock purchase plan	1,726		1,726
Equity-based compensation expense	3,820		3,820
Net loss	-55,319					-55,319
Other comprehensive income	355				355
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	142,635	23	151,996		769	-10,153
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		23,466,000
Shares issued in connection with:
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		71,000
Exercise of stock options	276		276
Settlement of restricted stock units (RSUs), Shares		23,000
Settlement of restricted stock units (RSUs)	0	0	0	0	0	0
Employee stock purchase plan (in shares)	457,000	457,000
Employee stock purchase plan	1,633	1	1,632
Shares withheld in connection with net share settlement of RSUs	-39		-39
Shares withheld in connection with net share settlement of RSUs, Shares		-9,000
Equity-based compensation expense	2,494		2,494
Net loss	-15,696					-15,696
Other comprehensive income	-44				-44
Common stock repurchases	-1,688			-1,688
Common stock repurchases (in shares)	241,000	241,000		241,000
Common stock repurchases, Shares	-241,000	-241,000		-241,000
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	129,571	24	156,359	-1,688	725	-25,849
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		23,767,000		241,000
Shares issued in connection with:
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	190,414	190,000
Exercise of stock options	948		948
Settlement of restricted stock units (RSUs), Shares		72,000
Settlement of restricted stock units (RSUs)	0	0	0	0	0	0
Employee stock purchase plan (in shares)	444,000	444,000
Employee stock purchase plan	1,611		1,611
Shares withheld in connection with net share settlement of RSUs	-92		-92
Shares withheld in connection with net share settlement of RSUs, Shares		-13,000
Equity-based compensation expense	2,445		2,445
Net loss	-27,445					-27,445
Other comprehensive income	-106				-106
Common stock repurchases	-8,302	-1		-8,301
Common stock repurchases (in shares)	1,185,000	1,185,000		1,185,000
Common stock repurchases, Shares	-1,185,000	-1,185,000		-1,185,000
Ending Balance at Jan. 03, 2015	$98,630	$23	$161,271	($9,989)	$619	($53,294)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Jan. 03, 2015		23,275,000		1,426,000

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating activities
Net loss	($27,445)	($15,696)	($55,319)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash and cash equivalents used in operating activities:
Depreciation & amortization	3,769	3,642	3,936
Net amortization (accretion) of investment premiums and discounts	655	900	1,316
Net loss on sale of investments			363
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets			18,419
Amortization of intangible assets	936	876	543
Bad debt expense			3,017
Equity-based compensation	3,000	2,494	3,820
Deferred income taxes	-728	2,229	-10,099
Deferred income taxes valuation allowance	9,394		23,437
Loss (gain) on divestitures		208	-2,207
Change in the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration	-250	-3,727	-219
Loss (gain) on disposal of equipment	41	-153	190
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	2,950	4,638	-3,531
Inventories	3,550	1,560	-8,738
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-166	1,211	6,089
Accounts payable	629	-439	-378
Accrued payroll and other accrued liabilities	2,071	-8,259	2,492
Customer advances	-1,192	1,550	-2,847
Total adjustments	24,659	6,730	35,603
Net cash and cash equivalents used in operating activities	-2,786	-8,966	-19,716
Investing activities
Purchase of investments	-35,703	-37,055	-47,199
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments	51,225	42,729	69,360
Proceeds from sale of equipment	13	153
Increase in restricted cash	-1,780
Purchase of equipment	-3,705	-1,772	-3,280
Net cash and cash equivalents provided by investing activities	10,050	4,555	21,881
Financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	2,559	1,909	1,869
Common stock repurchases	-8,392	-1,598
Payment of acquisition-related contingent consideration		-40	-3,345
Net cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in) financing activities	-5,833	271	-1,476
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-70		12
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,361	-4,140	701
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	20,121	24,261	23,560
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	21,482	20,121	24,261
Cash paid (received) for:
Income taxes	378	108	24
Income tax refund		-912	-4,608
Non-cash investing activity
Finished goods inventory transferred to property, plant and equipment		1,551
DeltaNu
Investing activities
Proceeds from sale of assets		500
Mainframe Technology
Investing activities
Proceeds from sale of assets			$3,000

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Intevac, Inc. and its subsidiaries (Intevac or the Company) after elimination of inter-company balances and transactions.
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
	Change in Fiscal Year End Date
	On February 19, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the Company’s change to a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Saturday nearest to December 31 of each year in order to improve the alignment of financial and business processes and to streamline financial reporting. Each fiscal quarter consists of 13 weeks, with an occasional fourth quarter extending to 14 weeks, if necessary, for the fiscal year to end on the Saturday nearest to December 31. The Company’s fiscal 2014 year ended on January 3, 2015.
	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments
	Intevac considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Available-for-sale securities, comprised of commercial paper, obligations of the U.S. government and its agencies, corporate debt securities, municipal bonds, and VRDNs, are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded within other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other than temporary, if any, on available-for-sale securities are included in earnings. Purchases and sales of investment securities are recognized on a trade date basis. The cost of investment securities sold is determined by the specific identification method.
	Restricted Cash
	Restricted cash of $1.0 million as of January 3, 2015 secures a standby letter of credit obligation associated with a lease obligation and the restriction on the cash will be removed when the letter of credit expires. In addition Intevac pledged $780,000 as collateral for a banker’s guarantee on an advance payment made by a customer.
	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Arrangements
	Foreign Exchange Exposure Management—Intevac enters into forward foreign currency contracts that economically hedge the gains and losses generated by the re-measurement of certain recorded assets and liabilities in a non-functional currency and to offset certain operational exposures from the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Such exposures result from the portion of the Company’s operations, assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, primarily the Singapore dollar. These foreign currency exchange contracts are entered into to support transactions made in the normal course of business, and accordingly, are not speculative in nature. The contracts are for periods consistent with the terms of the underlying transactions, generally one year or less. Changes in the fair value of these undesignated hedges are recognized in other income (expense), net immediately as an offset to the changes in the fair value of the asset or liability being hedged.
	Fair Value Measurement—Definition and Hierarchy
	Intevac reports certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value. Intevac defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
	Fair value measurements are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
	Level 1—Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2—Valuations based on other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
	Level 3—Valuations based on inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
	Business Combinations
	Intevac accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred. IPR&D costs are capitalized as an intangible asset. Contingent consideration is recorded as a liability at the measurement date with subsequent re-measurements recorded as an operating expense. Costs for business restructuring and exit activities related to the acquired company are included in the post-combination financial results.
	Trade Accounts and Notes Receivables and Doubtful Accounts
	Intevac evaluates the collectibility of trade accounts receivables and notes receivable on an ongoing basis and provides reserves against potential losses when appropriate. Management analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer creditworthiness, changes in customer payment tendencies and current economic trends when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Customer accounts are written off against the allowance when the amount is deemed uncollectible. Also, accounts determined to be uncollectible are put in nonaccrual status whereby interest is not accrued on those accounts.
	Inventories
	Inventories are generally stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined on an average cost basis.
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows: computers and software, 3 years; machinery and equipment, 5 years; furniture, 7 years; vehicles, 4 years; and leasehold improvements, remaining lease term.
	Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets
	The purchase price of an acquired business is allocated, as applicable, between IPR&D, other identifiable intangible assets, net tangible assets and goodwill. IPR&D is defined as the value assigned to those projects for which the related products have no alternative future use. Determining the portion of the purchase price allocated to IPR&D and other intangible assets requires the Company to make significant estimates. The amount of the purchase price allocated to IPR&D and other intangible assets is determined by estimating the future cash flows of each project or technology and discounting the net cash flows back to their present values. The discount rate used is determined at the time of the acquisition in accordance with accepted valuation methods. For IPR&D, these valuation methodologies include consideration of the risk of the project not achieving commercial feasibility. The IPR&D will be subject to amortization upon commercialization. If the technology is abandoned, the IPR&D will be written-off.
	Contingent consideration is recorded at the acquisition date at the estimated fair value of the contingent payments. The acquisition date fair value is measured based on the consideration expected to be transferred (probability-weighted), discounted back to present value. The discount rate used is determined at the time of the acquisition in accordance with accepted valuation methods. The fair value of the contingent consideration is remeasured at the estimated fair value at each reporting period with the change in fair value recognized as income or expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
	Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of net assets, including IPR&D, of acquired businesses. Intevac’s methodology for allocating the purchase price relating to purchase acquisitions is determined through established and generally accepted valuation techniques. Goodwill is measured as the excess of the cost of the acquisition over the sum of the amounts assigned to tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired less liabilities assumed. Intevac assigns assets acquired (including goodwill) and liabilities assumed to a reporting unit as of the date of acquisition.
	Purchased intangible assets other than goodwill are amortized over their useful lives unless these lives are determined to be indefinite. Purchased intangible assets are carried at cost, less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, generally one to thirteen years using the straight line method.
	Goodwill and purchased intangible assets with indefinite useful lives were not amortized, but are reviewed for impairment annually during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicated that the carrying value of an asset may not have been recoverable. For goodwill, Intevac performed a two-step impairment test. In the first step, Intevac compared the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. Intevac’s reporting units are consistent with the reportable segments identified in Note 14, based on the manner in which Intevac operates its business and the nature of those operations. Depending on the facts and circumstances Intevac determined the fair value of each of its reporting units based upon the most appropriate valuation technique using the income approach, the market approach or a combination thereof. The income and market approaches were selected as management believed these approaches generally provided the most reliable indications of fair value when the value of the operations was more dependent on the ability to generate earnings than on the value of the assets used in the production process. Under the income approach Intevac calculated the fair value of the reporting units based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. Under the market approach Intevac estimated the fair value based on market multiples of revenue or earnings for comparable companies. Each valuation technique has advantages and drawbacks, which must be considered when applying those techniques. The income approach closely correlates to management’s expectations of future results but requires significant assumptions which can be highly sensitive. The market approach is relatively straightforward to measure, but it may be difficult to find directly comparable companies in the marketplace. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that unit, goodwill was not impaired and no further testing was performed. If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeded the fair value of the reporting unit, then Intevac would perform the second step of the impairment test in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeded its implied fair value, Intevac would record an impairment loss equal to the difference. In 2012, as a result of its impairment analysis, Intevac wrote off all of the goodwill in both its Equipment and Photonics reporting units.
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	Long-lived assets and certain identifiable finite-lived intangible assets to be held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability of long-lived assets is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. Measurement of an impairment loss for long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangible assets that management expects to hold and use is based on the fair value of the asset. When an impairment loss is recognized, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value. No impairment charges were recognized in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012.
	Income Taxes
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that a portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
	On a quarterly basis, Intevac provides for income taxes based upon an annual effective income tax rate. The effective tax rate is highly dependent upon the level of Intevac’s projected earnings, the geographic composition of worldwide earnings, tax regulations governing each region, net operating loss carryforwards, availability of tax credits and the effectiveness of Intevac’s tax planning strategies. Intevac carefully monitors the changes in many factors and adjust its effective income tax rate on a timely basis. If actual results differ from the estimates, this could have a material effect on Intevac’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
	The calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with Intevac’s expectations could have a material effect on Intevac’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
	Intevac recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes.
	Sales and Value Added Taxes
	Taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are presented on a net basis in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
	Revenue Recognition
	Intevac recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred and title and risk of loss have passed to Intevac’s customer or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. Intevac’s shipping terms are customarily FOB shipping point or equivalent terms. Intevac’s revenue recognition policy generally results in revenue recognition at the following points: (1) for all transactions where legal title passes to the customer upon shipment, Intevac recognizes revenue upon shipment for all products that have been demonstrated to meet product specifications prior to shipment; the portion of revenue associated with certain installation-related tasks is deferred, and that revenue is recognized upon completion of the installation-related tasks; (2) for products that have not been demonstrated to meet product specifications prior to shipment, revenue is recognized at customer acceptance; and (3) for arrangements containing multiple elements, the revenue relating to the undelivered elements is deferred until delivery of the deferred elements. When a sales arrangement contains multiple elements, Intevac allocates revenue to each element based on a selling price hierarchy. The selling price for a deliverable is based on its VSOE if available, TPE if VSOE is not available, or best ESP if neither VSOE nor TPE is available. Intevac generally utilizes the ESP due to the nature of its products. In certain cases, technology upgrade sales are accounted for as multiple-element arrangements, usually split between delivery of the parts and installation on the customer’s systems. In these cases, Intevac recognizes revenue for the relative sales price of the parts upon shipment and transfer of title, and recognizes revenue for the relative sales price of installation services when those services are completed. Revenue related to sales of spare parts is generally recognized upon shipment. Revenue related to services is generally recognized upon completion of the services. In addition, Intevac uses the installment method to record revenue based on cash receipts in situations where the account receivable is collected over an extended period of time and in management’s judgment the degree of collectibility is uncertain.
	Intevac performs research and development work under various government-sponsored research contracts. Revenue on cost-plus-fee contracts is recognized to the extent of costs actually incurred plus a proportionate amount of the fee earned. Intevac considers fixed fees under cost-plus-fee contracts to be earned in proportion to the allowable costs actually incurred in performance of the contract. Revenue on fixed-price contracts is recognized on a milestone method or percentage-of-completion method of contract accounting. For contracts structured as milestone agreements, revenue is recognized when a specified milestone is achieved, provided that (1) the milestone event is substantive in nature and there is substantial uncertainty about the achievement of the milestone at the inception of the agreement, (2) the milestone payment is non-refundable, and (3) there is no continuing performance obligations associated with the milestone payment. Any milestone payments received prior to satisfying these revenue recognition criteria are deferred. Intevac generally determines the percentage completed based on the percentage of costs incurred to date in relation to total estimated costs expected through completion of the contract. When estimates of total costs to be incurred on a contract exceed estimates of total revenue to be earned, a provision for the entire loss on the contract is recorded in the period the loss is determined.
	Advertising Costs
	Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were not material for all periods presented.
	Foreign Currency Translation
	The functional currency of Intevac’s foreign subsidiaries in Singapore and Hong Kong and the Taiwan branch is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of Intevac’s foreign subsidiaries in China, Malaysia and Korea is the local currency of the country in which the respective subsidiary operates. Assets and liabilities recorded in foreign currencies are translated at year-end exchange rates; revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the year. The effect of foreign currency translation adjustments are included in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The effects of foreign currency transactions are included in other income in the determination of net income. Net income (losses) from foreign currency transactions were $11,000, $(36,000), and $(78,000) in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Comprehensive Income
	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component, were as follows for the years ended January 3, 2015 and December 31, 2013:
		Foreign			Unrealized			Total
		currency			holding
					gains
					(losses) on
					available-
					for-sale
					investments
		(in thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	694		$	75		$	769
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassification		(3	)		(41	)		(44	)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		—			—			—
	Net current-period other comprehensive loss		(3	)		(41	)		(44	)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	691		$	34		$	725
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassification		(71	)		(35	)		(106	)
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		—			—			—
Net current-period other comprehensive loss		(71	)		(35	)		(106	)
Balance at January 3, 2015	$	620		$	(1	)	$	619
Employee Stock Plans
Intevac has equity-based compensation plans that provide for the grant to employees of equity-based awards, including incentive or non-statutory stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (“RSUs” also referred to as performance units) and performance shares. In addition, these plans provide for the grant of non-statutory stock options and RSUs to non-employee directors and consultants. Intevac also has an employee stock purchase plan, which provides Intevac’s employees with the opportunity to purchase Intevac common stock at a discount through payroll deductions. See Note 2 for a complete description of these plans and their accounting treatment.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern”. This ASU is intended to define management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The amendments in this ASU will be effective for Intevac in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this accounting standard update on our consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) which provides guidance for revenue recognition. This ASU affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets. This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance. This ASU also supersedes some cost guidance included in Subtopic 605-35, Revenue Recognition-Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under today’s guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. The standard will be effective for Intevac in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 using one of two retrospective application methods. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this accounting standard update on our consolidated financial statements.
In April 2014, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that raises the threshold for a disposal transaction to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires additional disclosures about discontinued operations and disposals of individually significant components that do not qualify as discontinued operations. The authoritative guidance becomes effective prospectively for Intevac in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued.

EquityBased_Compensation

Equity-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Equity-Based Compensation	2. Equity-Based Compensation
	Intevac accounts for share-based awards in accordance with the provisions of the accounting guidance which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees, consultants and directors based upon the grant-date fair value of those awards. The estimated fair value of Intevac’s equity-based awards, less expected forfeitures, is amortized over the awards’ service periods using the graded vesting attribution method.
	Descriptions of Plans
	Equity Incentive Plans
	At January 3, 2015, Intevac had equity-based awards outstanding under the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plans”) and the 2003 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). Intevac’s stockholders approved all of these plans.
	The Plans are a broad-based, long-term retention program intended to attract and retain qualified management and employees, and align stockholder and employee interests. The Plans permit the grant of incentive or non-statutory stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, RSUs and performance shares. Option price, vesting period, and other terms are determined by the administrator of the Plans, but the option price shall generally not be less than 100% of the fair market value per share on the date of grant. As of January 3, 2015, 4.9 million shares of common stock were authorized for future issuance under the Plans. The 2012 Plan expires no later than May 8, 2022.
	2003 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	In 2003, Intevac’s stockholders approved adoption of the ESPP, which serves as the successor to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan originally adopted in 1995. Upon adoption of the ESPP, all shares available for issuance under the prior plan were transferred to the ESPP. The ESPP provides that eligible employees may purchase Intevac common stock through payroll deductions at a price equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value at the beginning of the applicable offering period or at the end of each applicable purchase interval. Offering periods are generally two years in length, and consist of a series of six-month purchase intervals. Eligible employees may join the ESPP at the beginning of any six-month purchase interval. Under the terms of the ESPP, employees can choose to have up to 15% of their base earnings withheld to purchase Intevac common stock. As of January 3, 2015, 400,000 shares remained available for issuance under the ESPP.
	The effect of recording equity-based compensation for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 was as follows (in thousands):
		2014			2013			2012
	Equity-based compensation by type of award:
	Stock options	$	1,094		$	984		$	2,302
	RSUs		1,464			419			201
	Employee stock purchase plan		442			1,091			1,317
	Total equity-based compensation	$	3,000		$	2,494		$	3,820
	Tax effect on equity-based compensation	$	—		$	27		$	870
	Stock Options
	The exercise price of each stock option equals the market price of Intevac’s stock on the date of grant. Most options are scheduled to vest over four years and expire no later than ten years after the grant date. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. This model was developed for use in estimating the value of publicly traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. Intevac’s employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of publicly traded options. The weighted average assumptions used in the model are outlined in the following table:
		2014			2013			2012
	Stock Options:
	Weighted-average fair value of grants per share	$	3.15		$	2.49		$	3.82
	Expected volatility		52.12	%		56.28	%		63.56	%
	Risk free interest rate		1.39	%		1.09	%		0.73	%
	Expected term of options (in years)		4.38			4.2			4.6
	Dividend yield		None			None			None
	The computation of the expected volatility assumption used in the Black-Scholes calculations for new grants is based on historical volatility of Intevac’s stock price. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield available on U.S. Treasury Strips with an equivalent remaining term. The expected life of employee stock options represents the weighted-average period that the stock options are expected to remain outstanding and was determined based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock-based awards and vesting schedules. The dividend yield assumption is based on Intevac’s history of not paying dividends and the assumption of not paying dividends in the future.
	A summary of the stock option activity is as follows:
		Shares			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
					Average			Average			Intrinsic
					Exercise			Remaining			Value
					Price			Contractual
								Term (years)
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2013		2,637,969		$	8.53			4.52		$	2,547,939
	Options granted		534,985		$	7.35
	Options cancelled and forfeited		(397,605	)	$	10.44
	Options exercised		(190,414	)	$	4.98
	Options outstanding at January 3, 2015		2,584,935		$	8.26			4.15		$	1,895,817
	Vested and expected to vest at January 3, 2015		2,416,921		$	8.37			4.05		$	1,749,778
	Options exercisable at January 3, 2015		1,470,523		$	9.41			3.18		$	945,484
	The total intrinsic value of options exercised during fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $496,000, $49,000 and $194,000, respectively. At January 3, 2015, Intevac had $1.3 million of total unrecognized compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, related to stock option plans that will be recognized over the weighted average period of 1.36 years.
	The options outstanding and currently exercisable at January 3, 2015 were in the following exercise price ranges:
		Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Prices	Number of			Weighted			Weighted			Number		Weighted
		Shares			Average			Average			Vested and		Average
		Outstanding			Remaining			Exercise Price			Exercisable		Exercise Price
					Contractual
					Term (years)
	$3.91 - $ 6.55		896,836			4.65		$	5.4			389,359	$	5.03
	$6.63 - $8.24		876,474			4.71		$	7.42			359,924	$	7.6
	$8.43 - $22.40		811,625			3		$	12.32			721,240	$	12.68
	$3.91 - $22.40		2,584,935			4.15		$	8.26			1,470,523	$	9.41
	Stock Option Exchange Program
	During our Annual Stockholder’s Meeting held on May 9, 2013, our stockholders approved a one-time Employee Stock Option Exchange Program (the “Exchange Program”) pursuant to which eligible employees were provided an opportunity to exchange, on a grant-by-grant basis, eligible outstanding stock options for a lesser number of new options, to be granted under our 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. Options eligible for the Exchange Program are those that were granted prior to the 12-month period preceding the start of the Exchange Program offering period, and have exercise prices per share that are greater than $8.49, 50% above our closing per share stock price measured as of July 5, 2013 which is shortly before the start of the Exchange Program. The Exchange Program offering period commenced on July 6, 2013 and closed on August 6, 2013, at which time a total of 87 eligible option holder participants exchanged 766,000 outstanding stock options for 336,000 stock options.
	The Exchange Program was launched to restore the intended retention and incentive value of employee equity awards, reduce the potential dilutive effect of our equity incentive program, and reduce pressure to grant additional equity awards to employees in the short term. Participation in the Exchange Program was made available to all employees in the United States and Singapore except for the Named Executive Officers. Non-employee members of our board of directors were also not eligible to participate. The exchange of options under the Exchange Program resulted in a total incremental charge to compensation expense of $126,000. This incremental charge is being recognized over the vesting periods of the new options. These vesting periods range from one to three years beginning on the first anniversary of the grant.
	RSUs
	A summary of the RSU activity is as follows:
		Shares			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
					Average			Average			Intrinsic
					Grant			Remaining			Value
					Date			Contractual
					Fair Value			Term (years)
	Non-vested RSUs at December 31, 2013		237,859		$	5.34			1.8		$	1,767,293
	Granted		277,498		$	7.3
	Vested		(71,856	)	$	5.39
Cancelled		(93,072	)	$	6.31
Non-vested RSUs at January 3, 2015		350,429		$	6.62			1.56		$	2,586,166
RSUs are converted into shares of Intevac common stock upon vesting on a one-for-one basis. RSUs typically are scheduled to vest over four years. Vesting of RSUs is subject to the grantee’s continued service with Intevac. The compensation expense related to these awards is determined using the fair market value of Intevac common stock on the date of the grant, and the compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period. At January 3, 2015, Intevac had $1.1 million of total unrecognized compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, related to RSUs that will be recognized over the weighted average period of 1.56 years.
The annual bonus for participants in the Company’s annual incentive plan for fiscal 2014 will be settled with RSUs with one year vesting issued in 2015. The Company accrued for the payment of bonuses at the expected company-wide payout percentage amount at January 3, 2015, which amounts were less than the target bonus amounts for each participant. The bonus accrual is classified as a liability until the number of shares is determined on the date the awards are granted, at which time the Company classifies the awards into equity. The Company recorded equity-based compensation expense related to the annual incentive plan of $554,000 in fiscal 2014. At January 3, 2015, Intevac had $623,000 of total unrecognized compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, related to the annual incentive plan that will be recognized over the weighted average period of 0.69 years.
Performance-based RSUs (“performance-based awards”) granted to certain executive officers are also subject to the achievement of specified performance goals. These performance-based awards become eligible to vest only if performance goals are achieved and then actually will vest only if the grantee remains employed by Intevac through each applicable vesting date. The fair value of these performance-based awards is estimated on the date of grant and assumes that the specified performance goals will be achieved. If the goals are achieved, these awards vest over a specified remaining service period, provided that the grantee remains employed by Intevac through each scheduled vesting date. If the performance goals are not met, no future compensation expense is recognized and any previously recognized compensation expense is reversed. The expected cost of each award is reflected over the service period and is reduced for estimated forfeitures. For performance-based awards granted during fiscal 2013, the performance goals require the achievement of targeted revenues and adjusted annual operating profit levels measured at the end of two and three-year periods.
ESPP
The fair value of the employee stock purchase right is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
	2014			2013			2012
Stock Purchase Rights:
Weighted-average fair value of grants per share	$	2.08		$	1.63		$	3.01
Expected volatility		44	%		51.54	%		62.36	%
Risk free interest rate		0.11	%		0.26	%		0.28	%
Expected term of purchase rights (in years)		0.69			1.77			1.68
Dividend yield		None			None			None
The expected life of purchase rights is the period of time remaining in the current offering period.
The ESPP activity during fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
	2014			2013			2012
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Shares purchased		444			457			301
Weighted average purchase price per share	$	3.63		$	3.58		$	5.73
Aggregate intrinsic value of purchase rights exercised	$	1,444		$	745		$	304
As of January 3, 2015, Intevac had $19,000 of total unrecognized compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures related to purchase rights that will be recognized over the weighted average period of 0.25 years.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Earnings Per Share	3. Earnings Per Share
	Intevac calculates basic earnings per share (“EPS”) using net income (loss) and the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted EPS includes the effect from potential issuance of common stock pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options and vesting of RSUs.
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted loss per share:
		2014			2013			2012
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Net loss	$	(27,445	)	$	(15,696	)	$	(55,319	)
	Weighted-average shares – basic		23,671			23,832			23,336
	Effect of dilutive potential common shares		—			—			—
	Weighted-average shares – diluted		23,671			23,832			23,336
	Net loss per share – basic and diluted	$	(1.16	)	$	(0.66	)	$	(2.37	)
	Antidilutive shares based on employee awards excluded		2,113			2,579			3,008
	Potentially dilutive common shares consist of shares issuable upon exercise of employee stock options and vesting of RSUs and are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS when their effect would be anti-dilutive.

Concentrations

Concentrations	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Concentrations	4. Concentrations
	Credit Risk and Significant Customers
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist of cash equivalents, short- and long-term investments, restricted cash, and accounts receivable. Intevac generally invests its excess cash in money market funds, commercial paper, obligations of the U.S. government and its agencies, corporate debt securities, municipal bonds and VRDNs. The Company has adopted an investment policy and established guidelines relating to credit quality, diversification and maturities of its investments in order to preserve principal and maintain liquidity. All investment securities in Intevac’s portfolio have an investment grade credit rating.
	Intevac’s accounts receivable tend to be concentrated in a limited number of customers. The following customers accounted for at least 10 percent of Intevac’s accounts receivable at January 3, 2015 and December 31, 2013.
			2014			2013
	Seagate Technology			46	%		40	%
	U.S. Government			13	%		*
	Northrop Grumman			*			11	%
	*	Less than 10%
	Intevac’s largest customers tend to change from period to period. Historically, a significant portion of Intevac’s revenues in any particular period have been attributable to sales to a limited number of customers. Intevac performs credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally requires deposits on system orders but does not generally require collateral or other security to support customer receivables.
	The following customers accounted for at least 10 percent of Intevac’s consolidated net revenues in fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012.
			2014			2013			2012
	U.S. Government			32	%		*			10	%
	HGST			17	%		*			*
	Seagate Technology			15	%		37	%		51	%
	Northrop Grumman			*			11	%		*
	*	Less than 10%
	Products
	Disk manufacturing products contributed a significant portion of Intevac’s revenues in fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012. Intevac expects that the ability to maintain or expand its current levels of revenues in the future will depend upon continuing market demand for its products; its success in enhancing its existing systems and developing and manufacturing competitive disk manufacturing equipment, such as the 200 Lean; Intevac’s success in developing both military and commercial products based on its low-light technology; and its success in utilizing Intevac’s expertise in complex manufacturing equipment to develop and sell new equipment products for PV and display cover panel manufacturing.

Balance_Sheet_Details

Balance Sheet Details	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Balance Sheet Details	5. Balance Sheet Details
	Balance sheet details were as follows as of January 3, 2015 and December 31, 2013:
	Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Net
	Receivables consisted of the following components:
		January 3,		December 31,
		2015		2013
		(in thousands)
	Trade receivables and other	$	10,548	$	12,043
	Unbilled costs and accrued profits		1,539		2,994
	Less: allowance for doubtful accounts		—		—
		$	12,087	$	15,037
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The following table represents a reconciliation of the allowance for doubtful accounts for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		2014		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Opening balance	$	—	$	—	$	41
	Bad debt expense		—		—		3,017
	Write-offs		—		—		(3,058	)
	Closing balance	$	—	$	—	$	—
	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of average cost or market and consist of the following:
		January 3,		December 31,
		2015		2013
		(in thousands)
	Raw materials	$	10,684	$	13,005
	Work-in-progress		2,299		8,196
	Finished goods		6,229		1,561
		$	19,212	$	22,762
	Finished goods inventory consists primarily of completed systems at customer sites that are undergoing installation and acceptance testing and evaluation inventory.
	Property, Plant and Equipment
		January 3,		December 31,
		2015		2013
		(in thousands)
	Leasehold improvements	$	15,245	$	15,090
	Machinery and equipment		43,141		39,938
			58,386		55,028
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		45,560		42,083
	Total property, plant and equipment, net	$	12,826	$	12,945
	Customer Advances
	Customer advances generally represent nonrefundable deposits invoiced by the Company in connection with receiving customer purchase orders and other events preceding acceptance of systems. Customer advances related to products that have not been shipped to customers and included in accounts receivable were $2.4 million at January 3, 2015 and $1.1 million at December 31, 2013.
	Accounts Payable
	Included in accounts payable is $254,000 and $325,000 of book overdraft at January 3, 2015 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Other Accrued Liabilities
		January 3,		December 31,
		2015		2013
		(in thousands)
	Deferred revenue	$	4,260	$	496
	Payable for pending purchase of available-for-sale marketable securities		2,059		—
	Accrued product warranties		1,022		1,546
	Other taxes payable		277		551
	Acquisition-related contingent consideration		59		164
	Other		595		506
	Total other accrued liabilities	$	8,272	$	3,263
	Other Long-Term Liabilities
		January 3,		December 31,
		2015		2013
		(in thousands)
	Acquisition-related contingent consideration	$	1,075	$	1,220
	Deferred rent		861		—
	Accrued product warranties		164		101
	Accrued income taxes		100		394
	Total other long-term liabilities	$	2,200	$	1,715

Goodwill_and_Purchased_Intangi

Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets, Net	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets, Net	6. Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets, Net
	Information regarding acquisition-related intangible assets is as follows:
		January 3, 2015						December 31, 2013
		Gross		Accumulated		Net		Gross		Accumulated		Net
		Carrying		Amortization		Carrying		Carrying		Amortization		Carrying
		Amount				Amount		Amount				Amount
		(in thousands)
	Customer relationships	$	3,119	$	2,426	$	693	$	3,119	$	2,206	$	913
	Purchased technology		5,148		1,875		3,273		5,148		1,159		3,989
	Covenants not to compete		40		40		—		40		40		—
	Backlog		80		80		—		80		80		—
	Total amortizable intangible assets	$	8,387	$	4,421	$	3,966	$	8,387	$	3,485	$	4,902
	Intangible assets by segment as of January 3, 2015 are as follows: Equipment; $3.5 million and Photonics; $429,000.
	Total amortization expense of purchased intangibles for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $936,000, $876,000, $543,000 respectively.
	Estimated future amortization expense related to finite-lived purchased intangible assets as of January 3, 2015, is as follows.
	(in thousands)
	2015	$	853
	2016		853
	2017		756
	2018		615
	2019		615
	Thereafter		274
		$	3,966
	Goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets were tested for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently upon the occurrence of circumstances that indicated that goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets were impaired.
	Intevac performed its annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, and, based on step one of the impairment analysis, Intevac determined that the fair values of both its Equipment and Photonics reporting units were less than their carrying value and potential impairment existed. Intevac completed the second step of the goodwill impairment analysis and determined that there would be no remaining implied value attributable to goodwill in either reporting unit and accordingly, Intevac wrote off all of the goodwill in both its Equipment and Photonics reporting units. In the second half of 2012, the Company experienced a significant decline in its stock price which resulted in the Company’s market capitalization falling significantly below the recorded value of its consolidated net assets.
	Intevac’s indefinite-lived intangible asset consisted of IPR&D in the amount of $4.0 million in the Equipment segment. During the second quarter of fiscal 2013, the related development project was completed, the product achieved commercialization and Intevac began amortizing the intangible asset over its expected useful life of 7 years. Immediately prior to commencement of amortization Intevac tested the intangible asset for impairment and determined that it was not impaired. Intevac performed its annual impairment tests on its indefinite life intangible assets in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, and, based on the impairment analysis, Intevac determined that the IPR&D was not impaired. Intevac’s indefinite life tradename was impaired and recorded an immaterial impairment charge. This tradename was subsequently sold in March 2013 as part of the sale of the Raman spectroscopy instruments product line.

Contingent_Consideration

Contingent Consideration	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Contingent Consideration	7. Contingent Consideration
	In connection with the acquisition of SIT, Intevac agreed to pay up to an aggregate of $7.0 million in cash to the selling shareholders if certain milestones were achieved over a specified period. Intevac has made payments to the selling shareholders for achievement of the first milestone in 2011, and for achievement of the second and third milestones in 2012. The fourth and final milestone was not achieved on the targeted date outlined in the acquisition agreement and will not be paid. There is no remaining contingent consideration obligation associated with the milestone agreement at January 3, 2015.
	In connection with the acquisition of SIT, Intevac also agreed to pay to the selling shareholders in cash a revenue earnout on Intevac’s net revenue from commercial sales of certain products over a specified period up to an aggregate of $9.0 million. Intevac estimated the fair value of this contingent consideration on January 3, 2015 based on probability-based forecasted revenues reflecting Intevac’s own assumptions concerning future revenue from such products. As of January 3, 2015, payments made associated with the revenue earnout obligation have not been significant.
	The fair value measurement of contingent consideration is based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement. The following table represents the quantitative range of the significant unobservable inputs used in the calculation of fair value of the contingent consideration liability as of January 3, 2015. Significant increases or decreases in any of these inputs even in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.
		Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements at January 3, 2015
		Fair Value			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
		(in thousands, except for percentages)
	Revenue Earnout	$	1,134		Discounted cash flow		Weighted average cost of capital	15.60%
							Probability weighting of	20.0% - 55.0% (36.5%)
							achieving revenue forecasts
	Any change in fair value of the contingent consideration subsequent to the acquisition date is recognized in operating income within the consolidated statement of operations. The following table represents a reconciliation of the change in the fair value measurement of the contingent consideration liability for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		2014			2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Beginning balance	$	1,384		$	5,151		$	8,715
	Changes in fair value		(250	)		(3,727	)		(219	)
	Cash payments made		—			(40	)		(3,345	)
	Ending balance	$	1,134		$	1,384		$	5,151

Divestitures

Divestitures	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Divestitures	8. Divestitures
	Sale of DeltaNu
	On March 29, 2013, the Company sold certain assets, including existing tangible and intangible assets, which comprised its Raman spectroscopy instruments product line, also known as DeltaNu, for consideration not to exceed $1.5 million. Under the terms of the agreement, the acquirer also assumed certain liabilities related to the purchased assets. Payment terms included $500,000 which was paid on the closing date, with the remaining balance to be paid in the form of an earnout of 5% of the acquirer’s Raman spectroscopy instrument sales for 5 years following the closing date which will be due and payable on or before each anniversary of the closing date or a minimum earnout payment of $100,000 annually, whichever is higher. The maximum earnout payments during the payment period shall not exceed $1.0 million.
	As the earnout is collected over an extended period of time and in management’s judgment the degree of collectibility is uncertain, Intevac did not recognize the minimum earnout payments upon closing, but instead will record income in the period when the minimum earnout payments can be reasonably estimated for that period and payment is assured. The first earnout payment in the amount of $75,000 was received in fiscal 2014 and was reported in other income (expense), net on the consolidated statement of operations.
	The following table summarizes the components of the loss (in thousands):
	Cash proceeds	$	500
	Assets sold:
	Accounts receivable		147
	Inventories		320
	Other current assets		27
	Property, plant and equipment		159
	Trade name		90
	Total assets sold		743
	Liabilities divested:
	Accounts payable		59
	Other accrued expenses		6
	Total liabilities divested		65
	Transaction and other costs		30
	Loss on sale	$	(208	)
	Sale of Mainframe Technology
	On January 6, 2012, the Company sold certain assets including intellectual property and residual assets which comprised its semiconductor mainframe technology.
	The following table summarizes the components of the gain (in thousands):
	Cash proceeds	$	3,000
	Assets sold:
	Inventories		589
	Property, plant and equipment		178
	Transaction and other costs		26
	Gain on sale	$	2,207

Financial_Instruments

Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Financial Instruments	9. Financial Instruments
	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments
	Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments consist of:
			January 3, 2015
			Amortized			Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair
			Cost			Holding		Holding			Value
						Gains		Losses
			(in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash		$	4,948		$	—	$	—		$	4,948
	Money market funds			16,534			—		—			16,534
	Total cash and cash equivalents		$	21,482		$	—	$	—		$	21,482
	Short-term investments:
	Commercial paper		$	2,995		$	2	$	—		$	2,997
	Corporate bonds and medium-term notes			21,203			2		6			21,199
	Municipal bonds			5,392			11		1			5,402
	Total short-term investments		$	29,590		$	15	$	7		$	29,598
	Long-term investments:
	Corporate bonds and medium-term notes		$	6,266		$	1	$	4		$	6,263
	Municipal bonds			2,290			—		8			2,282
	U.S. treasury and agency securities			8,995			3		1			8,997
	Total long-term investments		$	17,551		$	4	$	13		$	17,542
	Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments		$	68,623		$	19	$	20		$	68,622
			December 31, 2013
			Amortized			Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair
			Cost			Holding		Holding			Value
						Gains		Losses
			(in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash		$	5,819		$	—	$	—		$	5,819
	Money market funds			14,302			—		—			14,302
	Total cash and cash equivalents		$	20,121		$	—	$	—		$	20,121
	Short-term investments:
	Commercial paper		$	1,998		$	1	$	—		$	1,999
	Corporate bonds and medium-term notes			27,181			13		3			27,191
	Municipal bonds			6,108			4		—			6,112
	U.S. treasury and agency securities			13,506			7		—			13,513
	VRDNs			160			—		—			160
	Total short-term investments		$	48,953		$	25	$	3		$	48,975
	Long-term investments:
	Corporate bonds and medium-term notes		$	8,811		$	12	$	—		$	8,823
	Municipal bonds			3,495			2		2			3,495
	Total long-term investments		$	12,306		$	14	$	2		$	12,318
	Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments		$	81,380		$	39	$	5		$	81,414
	The contractual maturities of available-for-sale securities at January 3, 2015 are presented in the following table.
			Amortized			Fair
			Cost			Value
			(in thousands)
	Due in one year or less		$	45,121		$	45,129
	Due after one through two years			18,554			18,545
			$	63,675		$	63,674
	The following table provides the fair market value of Intevac’s investments with unrealized losses that are not deemed to be other-than temporarily impaired as of January 3, 2015.
			January 3, 2015
			In Loss Position for					In Loss Position for
			Less than 12 Months					Greater than
								12 Months
			Fair			Gross		Fair			Gross
			Value			Unrealized		Value			Unrealized
						Losses					Losses
			(in thousands)
	Corporate bonds and medium-term notes		$	15,869		$	10	$	—		$	—
	Municipal bonds			3,281			9		—			—
	U.S. treasury and agency securities			1,999			1		—			—
			$	21,149		$	20	$	—		$	—
All prices for the fixed maturity securities including U.S. treasury and agency securities, commercial paper, corporate bonds, VRDNs and municipal bonds are received from independent pricing services utilized by Intevac’s outside investment manager. This investment manager performs a review of the pricing methodologies and inputs utilized by the independent pricing services for each asset type priced by the vendor. In addition, on at least an annual basis, the investment manager conducts due diligence visits and interviews with each pricing vendor to verify the inputs utilized for each asset class. The due diligence visits include a review of the procedures performed by each vendor to ensure that pricing evaluations are representative of the price that would be received to sell a security in an orderly transaction. Any pricing where the input is based solely on a broker price is deemed to be a Level 3 price. Intevac uses the pricing data obtained from its outside investment manager as the primary input to make its assessments and determinations as to the ultimate valuation of the above-mentioned securities and has not made, during the periods presented, any material adjustments to such inputs.
The following table represents the fair value hierarchy of Intevac’s available-for-sale securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of January 3, 2015.
		Fair Value Measurements
		at January 3, 2015
		Total			Level 1		Level 2
		(in thousands)
Recurring fair value measurements:
Available-for-sale securities
Money market funds		$	16,534		$	16,534	$	—
U.S. treasury and agency securities			8,997			6,997		2,000
Commercial paper			2,997			—		2,997
Corporate bonds and medium-term notes			27,462			—		27,462
Municipal bonds			7,684			—		7,684
Total recurring fair value measurements		$	63,674		$	23,531	$	40,143
The following table presents the changes in Level 3 instruments which consisted of ARS which were classified as available-for-sale securities and which were measured on a recurring basis for the year ended December 31, 2012. The Company did not hold any ARS as of or during the year ended January 3, 2015.
		2012
		(in thousands)
Opening balance		$	4,490
Total gains (losses) for the period
Included in earnings			(381	)
Included in other comprehensive income			410
Proceeds from sales			(1,748	)
Proceeds from tender offers			(2,771	)
Closing balance		$	—
Derivatives
The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate variability in gains and losses generated from the re-measurement of certain monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and to offset certain operational exposures from the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These derivatives are carried at fair value with changes recorded in interest income and other, net in the consolidated statements of operations. Changes in the fair value of these derivatives are largely offset by re-measurement of the underlying assets and liabilities. Cash flows from such derivatives are classified as operating activities. The derivatives have maturities of approximately 30, 60, 210 and 240 days.
The following table summarizes the Company’s outstanding derivative instruments on a gross basis as recorded in its consolidated balance sheets as of January 3, 2015 and December 31, 2013:
		Notional Amounts					Derivative Assets									Derivative Liabilities
Derivative Instrument		January 3,			December 31,		January 3,					December 31,				January 3,					December 31,
		2015			2013		2015					2013				2015					2013
							Balance			Fair		Balance		Fair		Balance			Fair		Balance		Fair
							Sheet			Value		Sheet		Value		Sheet			Value		Sheet		Value
							Line					Line				Line					Line
		(in thousands)
Undesignated Hedges:
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts		$	2,647		$	894		(a	)	$	10		—	$	—		(b	)	$	4		—	$	—
Total Hedges		$	2,647		$	894				$	10			$	—				$	4			$	—
(a)	Prepaid expenses and other current assets
(b)	Other accrued liabilities

Equity

Equity	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Equity	10. Equity
	Stock Repurchase Program
	On November 21, 2013, Intevac’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing up to $30.0 million in repurchases. Under this authorization, Intevac purchases shares of its common stock under a systematic stock repurchase program and may also make supplemental stock repurchases from time to time, depending on market conditions, stock price and other factors. At January 3, 2015, $20.0 million remains available for future stock repurchases under the repurchase program.
	The following table summarizes Intevac’s stock repurchases for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		2014		2013		2012
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Shares of common stock repurchased		1,185		241		—
	Cost of stock repurchased	$	8,302	$	1,688	$	—
	Average price paid per share	$	6.97	$	6.97	$	—
	Intevac records treasury stock purchases under the cost method using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Upon reissuance of treasury stock, amounts in excess of the acquisition cost are credited to additional paid in capital. If Intevac reissues treasury stock at an amount below its acquisition cost and additional paid in capital associated with prior treasury stock transactions is insufficient to cover the difference between the acquisition cost and the reissue price, this difference is recorded against retained earnings.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Income Taxes	11. Income Taxes
	The provision for (benefit from) income taxes on loss from continuing operations for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 consists of the following (in thousands):
		2014			2013			2012
	Federal:
	Current	$	(324	)	$	(3,925	)	$	3
	Deferred		—			3,387			17,160
			(324	)		(538	)		17,163
	State:
	Current		5			12			(13	)
	Deferred		—			—			—
			5			12			(13	)
	Foreign:
	Current		81			(38	)		(150	)
	Deferred		8,666			(1,158	)		(3,760	)
			8,747			(1,196	)		(3,910	)
	Total	$	8,428		$	(1,722	)	$	13,240
	Loss before income taxes (benefit) for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		2014			2013			2012
	U.S	$	(13,191	)	$	(11,478	)	$	(32,128	)
	Foreign		(5,826	)		(5,940	)		(9,951	)
		$	(19,017	)	$	(17,418	)	$	(42,079	)
	Effective tax rate		(44.3	)%		9.9	%		(31.5	)%
	Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts for income tax purposes. Significant components of deferred tax assets are as follows (in thousands):
		January 3,			December 31,
		2015			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Vacation, warranty and other accruals	$	997		$	1,269
	Depreciation and amortization		538			1,554
	Intangible amortization		2,767			3,235
	Inventory valuation		3,117			1,706
	Deferred income		1,621			43
	Equity-based compensation		5,920			6,242
	Net operating loss, research and other tax credit carryforwards		47,044			43,470
	Other		358			49
			62,362			57,568
	Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets		(60,612	)		(46,126	)
	Total deferred tax assets		1,750			11,442
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Purchased technology		(1,195	)		(1,488	)
	Unbilled revenue		(555	)		(1,004	)
	Other		—			(284	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(1,750	)		(2,776	)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	—		$	8,666
	As reported on the balance sheet:
	Current deferred tax assets	$	—		$	103
	Non-current deferred tax assets		5			9,502
	Current deferred tax liability		(5	)		(939	)
		$	—		$	8,666
	Intevac accounts for income taxes in accordance with accounting standards for such taxes, which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. Accounting standards also require that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion of or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
	Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to use the existing deferred tax assets. A significant element of objective negative evidence evaluated was the cumulative loss incurred over the three-year periods ended January 3, 2015, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. Such objective evidence limits the ability to consider other subjective evidence such as Intevac’s projections for future growth. On the basis of this analysis and the significant negative objective evidence, for fiscal 2014, a valuation allowance of $9.4 million was added to record only the portion of the Singapore deferred tax asset that more likely than not will be realized.
	In fiscal 2012, a valuation allowance of $23.4 million was added to record only the portion of the U.S. federal deferred tax asset that more likely than not will be realized. For fiscal 2014 and 2013, valuation allowance increases of $4.7 million and $7.2 million, respectively for the U.S. federal deferred tax asset were recorded. A valuation allowance is recorded against the entire state deferred tax asset which consists of state income tax temporary differences and deferred research and other tax credits that are not realizable in the foreseeable future.
	The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced or increased, or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight may be given to subjective evidence such as our projections for growth.
	As of January 3, 2015, our federal, foreign and state net operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes were approximately $51.6 million, $56.1 million and $61.3 million, respectively. The federal and state net operating loss carryforwards are subject to various limitations under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable state tax laws. If not utilized, the federal net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2028 and the state net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2015. The foreign net operating loss carryforwards do not expire. As of January 3, 2015, our federal and state tax credit carryforwards for income tax purposes were approximately $11.3 million and $12.0 million, respectively. If not utilized, the federal tax credit carryforwards will begin to expire in 2019 and the state tax credits carry forward indefinitely.
	The difference between the tax provision (benefit) at the statutory federal income tax rate and the tax provision (benefit) for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 was as follows (in thousands):
		2014			2013			2012
	Income tax (benefit) at the federal statutory rate	$	(6,656	)	$	(6,096	)	$	(14,728	)
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit		5			12			(15	)
	Change in valuation allowance:
	U.S		4,733			7,201			23,330
	Foreign		9,394			—			—
	Effect of foreign operations taxed at various rates		1,662			983			(428	)
	Nondeductible goodwill impairment		—			—			3,670
	Research tax credits		(569	)		(2,284	)		—
	Effect of tax rate changes, permanent differences and adjustments of prior deferrals		153			(1,062	)		367
Unrecognized tax benefits		(294	)		(476	)		1,044
Total	$	8,428		$	(1,722	)	$	13,240
Intevac has not provided for U.S. federal income and foreign withholding taxes on approximately $11.8 million of undistributed earnings from non-U.S. operations as of January 3, 2015 because Intevac intends to reinvest such earnings indefinitely outside of the United States. If Intevac were to distribute these earnings, foreign tax credits may become available under current law to reduce the resulting U.S. income tax liability. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability related to these earnings is not practicable. Intevac will remit the non-indefinitely reinvested earnings, if any, of Intevac’s non-U.S. subsidiaries where excess cash has accumulated and Intevac determines that it is advantageous for business operations, tax or cash reasons.
Intevac benefitted from a tax holiday in Singapore which was scheduled to expire at the end of 2015. The tax holiday provided a lower income tax rate on certain classes of income so long as certain thresholds of business investment and employment levels were met in Singapore. Intevac was granted an early termination of this tax holiday effective January 1, 2013 by the Singapore tax authority. The terms of the early termination include meeting certain agreed upon future annual business spending and staffing levels in Singapore. Failure to meet the terms of the early termination could result in a claw back by the Singapore government of tax benefits received in previous years. As a result of this incentive, the impact of the tax holiday decreased income taxes by $1.6 million in 2012. The benefit of the tax holiday on the net loss per share (diluted) was approximately $0.07 in 2012.
The total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits was $6.6 million as of January 3, 2015, of which $250,000 would affect Intevac’s effective tax rate if realized. The aggregate changes in the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits were as follows for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012:
	2014			2013			2012
	(in thousands)
Beginning balance	$	6,482		$	6,000		$	5,022
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		57			597			978
Additions for tax positions of prior years		250			98			—
Settlements		—			—			—
Lapse of statute of limitations		(211	)		(213	)		—
Ending balance	$	6,578		$	6,482		$	6,000
The Company does not anticipate any changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months. It is Intevac’s policy to include interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes on the consolidated statements of operations. During fiscal 2014 and 2013, Intevac recognized a net tax benefit for interest of $110,000 and $13,000, respectively. As of January 3, 2015 Intevac had $7,000 of accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits, which was classified as a long-term liability in the consolidated balance sheets. Intevac did not accrue any penalties related to these unrecognized tax benefits because Intevac has other tax attributes which would offset any potential taxes due.
Intevac is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state and foreign jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. The material jurisdictions where Intevac is subject to potential examination by tax authorities for tax years after 2009 include the U.S. (Federal and California) and Singapore. The Singapore Inland Revenue Authority is currently conducting a review of the fiscal 2009 through 2012 tax returns of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Intevac Asia Pte. Ltd. We believe that adequate amounts have been reserved for any adjustments that may ultimately result from this or other examinations. Presently, there are no other active income tax examinations in the jurisdictions where Intevac operates.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Employee Benefit Plans	12. Employee Benefit Plans
	Employee Savings and Retirement Plan
	In 1991, Intevac established a defined contribution retirement plan with 401(k) plan features. The plan covers all United States employees eighteen years and older. Employees may make contributions by a percentage reduction in their salaries, not to exceed the statutorily prescribed annual limit. Intevac did not make any cash contributions for fiscal 2014. Intevac made cash contributions $422,000 and $501,000 for fiscal 2013, and 2012, respectively. Employees may choose among several investment options for their contributions and their share of Intevac’s contributions, and they are able to move funds between investment options at any time. Intevac’s common stock is not one of the investment options. Administrative expenses relating to the plan are insignificant.
	Employee Bonus Plans
	Intevac has various employee bonus plans. A profit-sharing plan provides for the distribution of a percentage of pre-tax profits to substantially all of Intevac’s employees not eligible for other performance-based incentive plans, up to a maximum percentage of compensation. Other plans award annual cash bonuses to Intevac’s executives and key contributors based on the achievement of profitability and other specific performance criteria. Charges to expense under these plans were $22,000, $1.7 million and $210,000, respectively for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012. In fiscal 2014, the annual bonus for certain participants in the Company’s annual incentive plan will be settled with RSUs with one year vesting. Charges for bonuses in the amount of $554,000 which will be settled in RSUs were reported as stock compensation expense. See Note 2 “Equity-Based Compensation.”

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies	13. Commitments and Contingencies
	Leases
	Intevac leases certain facilities under non-cancelable operating leases that expire at various times up to March 2024 and has options to renew most leases, with rentals to be negotiated. Certain of Intevac’s leases contain provisions for rental adjustments. Included in other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets is $861,000 of deferred rent as of January 3, 2015 related to the effective rent on Intevac’s long-term lease for Intevac’s Santa Clara, California facility. The terms of the Company’s lease of its Santa Clara, California facility include a tenant improvement allowance of up to $1.7 million. Tenant improvement allowances are reimbursements received from the landlord for construction costs and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term as a reduction in rent. The tenant improvement allowances are recorded when the Company has completed its obligations and the tenant improvement allowance is receivable. In addition, Intevac is required to maintain a standby letter of credit for $1.0 million for this lease. This standby letter of credit is secured with $1.0 million of restricted cash. The facility leases require Intevac to pay for all normal maintenance costs. Gross rental expense was approximately $3.8 million, $2.9 million and $3.0 million for fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	As of January 3, 2015, future minimum lease payments are as follows.
	(in thousands)
	2015	$	3,206
	2016		3,075
	2017		2,640
	2018		2,630
	2019		2,709
	Thereafter		12,440
		$	26,700
	Guarantees
	Officer and Director Indemnifications
	As permitted or required under Delaware law and to the maximum extent allowable under that law, Intevac has certain obligations to indemnify its current and former officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was serving, at Intevac’s request in such capacity. These indemnification obligations are valid as long as the director or officer acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The maximum potential amount of future payments Intevac could be required to make under these indemnification obligations is unlimited; however, Intevac has a director and officer insurance policy that mitigates Intevac’s exposure and enables Intevac to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. As a result of Intevac’s insurance policy coverage, Intevac believes the estimated fair value of these indemnification obligations is not material.
	Other Indemnifications
	As is customary in Intevac’s industry, many of Intevac’s contracts provide remedies to certain third parties such as defense, settlement, or payment of judgment for intellectual property claims related to the use of its products. Such indemnification obligations may not be subject to maximum loss clauses. Historically, payments made related to these indemnifications have been immaterial.
	Letters of Credit
	As of January 3, 2015, we had letters of credit and bank guarantees outstanding totaling $1.8 million, including the standby letter of credit outstanding under the Santa Clara, California facility lease and a banker’s guarantee which guarantees customer advances under a customer contract.
	Warranty
	Intevac provides for the estimated cost of warranty when revenue is recognized. Intevac’s warranty is per contract terms and for its disk manufacturing, PV manufacturing and display cover panel manufacturing systems the warranty typically ranges between 12 and 24 months from customer acceptance. For systems sold through a distributor, Intevac offers a 3 month warranty. The remainder of any warranty period is the responsibility of the distributor. During this warranty period any defective non-consumable parts are replaced and installed at no charge to the customer. The warranty period on consumable parts is limited to their reasonable usable lives. Intevac uses estimated repair or replacement costs along with its historical warranty experience to determine its warranty obligation. Intevac generally provides a twelve month warranty on its Photonics’ products. The provision for the estimated future costs of warranty is based upon historical cost and product performance experience. Intevac exercises judgment in determining the underlying estimates.
	On the consolidated balance sheets, the short-term portion of the warranty provision is included in other accrued liabilities, while the long-term portion is included in other long-term liabilities. The expense associated with product warranties issued or adjusted is included in cost of net revenues on the consolidated statements of operations.
	The following table displays the activity in the warranty provision account for fiscal 2014 and 2013:
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Beginning balance	$	1,647		$	2,349
	Expenditures incurred under warranties		(834	)		(1,033	)
	Accruals for product warranties		931			1,091
	Adjustments to previously existing warranty accruals		(558	)		(760	)
	Ending balance	$	1,186		$	1,647
	Legal Matters
	From time to time, Intevac receives notification from third parties, including customers and suppliers, seeking indemnification, litigation support, payment of money or other actions in connection with claims made against them. In addition, from time to time, Intevac receives notification from third parties claiming that Intevac may be or is infringing their intellectual property or other rights. Intevac also is subject to various other legal proceedings and claims, both asserted and unasserted, that arise in the ordinary course of business. Although the outcome of these claims and proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, Intevac does not believe that any of these other existing proceedings or claims will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Segment_and_Geographic_Informa

Segment and Geographic Information	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Segment and Geographic Information	14. Segment and Geographic Information
	Intevac’s two reportable segments are: Equipment and Photonics. Intevac’s chief operating decision-maker has been identified as the President and CEO, who reviews operating results to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance for the entire Company. Segment information is presented based upon Intevac’s management organization structure as of January 3, 2015 and the distinctive nature of each segment. Future changes to this internal financial structure may result in changes to the reportable segments disclosed.
	Each reportable segment is separately managed and has separate financial results that are reviewed by Intevac’s chief operating decision-maker. Each reportable segment contains closely related products that are unique to the particular segment. Segment operating profit is determined based upon internal performance measures used by the chief operating decision-maker.
	Intevac derives the segment results from its internal management reporting system. The accounting policies Intevac uses to derive reportable segment results are substantially the same as those used for external reporting purposes. Management measures the performance of each reportable segment based upon several metrics, including orders, net revenues and operating income. Management uses these results to evaluate the performance of, and to assign resources to, each of the reportable segments. Intevac manages certain operating expenses separately at the corporate level. Intevac allocates certain of these corporate expenses to the segments in an amount equal to 3% of net revenues. Segment operating income excludes interest income/expense and other financial charges and income taxes according to how a particular reportable segment’s management is measured. Management does not consider impairment charges, gains and losses on divestitures and sales of intellectual property, and unallocated costs in measuring the performance of the reportable segments.
	The Equipment segment designs, develops and markets vacuum process equipment solutions for high-volume manufacturing of small substrates with precise thin-film properties for hard drive, solar cell and cell phone manufacturers as well as other adjacent thin-film deposition applications.
	The Photonics segment develops compact, cost-effective, high-sensitivity digital-optical products for the capture and display of low-light images and the optical analysis of materials. Intevac provides sensors, cameras and systems for government applications such as night vision and long-range target identification.
	Information for each reportable segment for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
			2014			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Net Revenues
	Equipment		$	25,290		$	39,135		$	52,538
	Photonics			40,260			30,497			30,886
	Total segment net revenues		$	65,550		$	69,632		$	83,424
			2014			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Operating Profit (Loss)
	Equipment		$	(22,008	)	$	(12,951	)	$	(19,934	)
	Photonics			8,932			1,058			(206	)
	Total segment operating profit (loss)			(13,076	)		(11,893	)		(20,140	)
	Unallocated costs			(6,278	)		(5,722	)		(6,181	)
	Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets			—			—			(18,419	)
	Gain (loss) on divestitures			—			(208	)		2,207
	Operating loss			(19,354	)		(17,823	)		(42,533	)
	Interest income			179			279			806
	Other income (expense), net			158			126			(352	)
	Loss before income taxes		$	(19,017	)	$	(17,418	)	$	(42,079	)
			2014			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Depreciation and Amortization
	Equipment		$	2,379		$	2,146		$	2,003
	Photonics			1,834			1,900			1,806
	Total segment depreciation and amortization			4,213			4,046			3,809
	Unallocated costs			492			472			670
	Total consolidated depreciation and amortization		$	4,705		$	4,518		$	4,479
			2014			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Capital Additions
	Equipment		$	2,230		$	1,857		$	1,260
	Photonics			1,203			894			1,535
	Total segment capital additions			3,433			2,751			2,795
	Unallocated			272			572			485
	Total consolidated capital additions		$	3,705		$	3,323		$	3,280
			2014			2013
			(in thousands)
	Segment Assets
	Equipment		$	30,670		$	33,428
	Photonics			17,126			21,120
	Total segment assets			47,796			54,548
	Cash and investments			68,622			81,414
	Restricted cash			1,780			—
	Deferred income taxes			5			9,605
	Other current assets			989			982
	Common property, plant and equipment			1,083			1,302
	Other assets			—			425
	Consolidated total assets		$	120,275		$	148,276
	Geographic revenue information for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 is based on the location of the customer. Revenue from unaffiliated customers by geographic region/country was as follows:
			2014			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	United States		$	51,584		$	32,534		$	30,845
	Asia (*)			9,931			31,907			47,712
	Europe			4,035			5,191			3,795
	Rest of world			—			—			1,072
	Total net revenues		$	65,550		$	69,632		$	83,424
	(*)	Revenues are attributable to the geographic area in which Intevac’s customers are located. Net trade revenues in Asia include shipments to Singapore, China, Japan and Malaysia.
Net property, plant and equipment by geographic region at January 3, 2015 and December 31, 2013 was as follows:
		January 3,			December 31,
		2015			2013
		(in thousands)
United States		$	11,534		$	11,240
Asia			1,292			1,705
Net property, plant & equipment		$	12,826		$	12,945

Restructuring_Charges

Restructuring Charges	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Restructuring Charges	15. Restructuring Charges
	During the first half of fiscal 2014, Intevac substantially completed implementation of the 2014 cost reduction plan (the “Plan”), which was intended to reduce expenses and reduce its workforce by 6 percent. The cost of implementing the Plan was reported under cost of net revenues and operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Substantially all cash outlays in connection with the Plan occurred in the first half of fiscal 2014. Implementation of the Plan is expected to reduce salary, wages and other employee-related expenses by approximately $2.1 million on an annual basis. As of January 3, 2015, activities related to the Plan were complete.
	On February 1, 2013, Intevac announced the 2013 cost reduction plan (the “2013 Plan”) to reduce expenses including a reduction in its workforce. Implementation of the 2013 Plan was substantially completed in the first half of fiscal 2013 and the Company reduced its workforce by 18 percent. The cost of implementing the 2013 Plan was reported under cost of net revenues and operating expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. Substantially all cash outlays in connection with the 2013 Plan occurred in the first half of fiscal 2013. As of January 3, 2015, activities related to the 2013 Plan were complete.
	The changes in restructuring reserves associated with the Plan for fiscal 2014 and 2013, are as follows.
		Severance and
		other employee-
		related costs
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Balance at the beginning of the year	$	—		$	—
	Provision for restructuring charges		288			742
	Cash payments made		(288	)		(742	)
	Balance at the end of the year	$	—		$	—

Selected_Quarterly_Consolidate

Selected Quarterly Consolidated Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Selected Quarterly Consolidated Financial Data (Unaudited)	16. Selected Quarterly Consolidated Financial Data (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended
		March 29,			June 28,			Sept. 27,			Jan. 03,
		2014			2014			2014			2015
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Net sales	$	17,015		$	14,715		$	14,757		$	19,062
	Gross profit		4,810			5,211			4,815			2,596
	Net loss		(4,521	)		(5,007	)		(3,559	)		(14,358	)
	Basic and diluted loss per share	$	(0.19	)	$	(0.21	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.62	)
		Three Months Ended
		March 30,			June 29,			Sept. 28,			Dec. 31,
		2013			2013			2013			2013
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Net sales	$	12,982		$	16,983		$	19,115		$	20,552
	Gross profit		3,514			3,829			6,895			7,737
	Net income (loss)		(8,264	)		(6,412	)		(2,745	)		1,725
	Basic and diluted loss per share	$	(0.35	)	$	(0.27	)	$	(0.11	)	$	0.07

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation	Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Intevac, Inc. and its subsidiaries (Intevac or the Company) after elimination of inter-company balances and transactions.
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Change in Fiscal Year End-Date	Change in Fiscal Year End Date
	On February 19, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the Company’s change to a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Saturday nearest to December 31 of each year in order to improve the alignment of financial and business processes and to streamline financial reporting. Each fiscal quarter consists of 13 weeks, with an occasional fourth quarter extending to 14 weeks, if necessary, for the fiscal year to end on the Saturday nearest to December 31. The Company’s fiscal 2014 year ended on January 3, 2015.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments
	Intevac considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Available-for-sale securities, comprised of commercial paper, obligations of the U.S. government and its agencies, corporate debt securities, municipal bonds, and VRDNs, are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded within other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other than temporary, if any, on available-for-sale securities are included in earnings. Purchases and sales of investment securities are recognized on a trade date basis. The cost of investment securities sold is determined by the specific identification method.
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash
	Restricted cash of $1.0 million as of January 3, 2015 secures a standby letter of credit obligation associated with a lease obligation and the restriction on the cash will be removed when the letter of credit expires. In addition Intevac pledged $780,000 as collateral for a banker’s guarantee on an advance payment made by a customer.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Arrangements	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Arrangements
	Foreign Exchange Exposure Management—Intevac enters into forward foreign currency contracts that economically hedge the gains and losses generated by the re-measurement of certain recorded assets and liabilities in a non-functional currency and to offset certain operational exposures from the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Such exposures result from the portion of the Company’s operations, assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, primarily the Singapore dollar. These foreign currency exchange contracts are entered into to support transactions made in the normal course of business, and accordingly, are not speculative in nature. The contracts are for periods consistent with the terms of the underlying transactions, generally one year or less. Changes in the fair value of these undesignated hedges are recognized in other income (expense), net immediately as an offset to the changes in the fair value of the asset or liability being hedged.
Fair Value Measurement-Definition and Hierarchy	Fair Value Measurement—Definition and Hierarchy
	Intevac reports certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value. Intevac defines fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
	Fair value measurements are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
	Level 1—Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2—Valuations based on other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
	Level 3—Valuations based on inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
Business Combinations	Business Combinations
	Intevac accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred. IPR&D costs are capitalized as an intangible asset. Contingent consideration is recorded as a liability at the measurement date with subsequent re-measurements recorded as an operating expense. Costs for business restructuring and exit activities related to the acquired company are included in the post-combination financial results.
Trade Accounts and Notes Receivables and Doubtful Accounts	Trade Accounts and Notes Receivables and Doubtful Accounts
	Intevac evaluates the collectibility of trade accounts receivables and notes receivable on an ongoing basis and provides reserves against potential losses when appropriate. Management analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer creditworthiness, changes in customer payment tendencies and current economic trends when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Customer accounts are written off against the allowance when the amount is deemed uncollectible. Also, accounts determined to be uncollectible are put in nonaccrual status whereby interest is not accrued on those accounts.
Inventories	Inventories
	Inventories are generally stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined on an average cost basis.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows: computers and software, 3 years; machinery and equipment, 5 years; furniture, 7 years; vehicles, 4 years; and leasehold improvements, remaining lease term.
Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets
	The purchase price of an acquired business is allocated, as applicable, between IPR&D, other identifiable intangible assets, net tangible assets and goodwill. IPR&D is defined as the value assigned to those projects for which the related products have no alternative future use. Determining the portion of the purchase price allocated to IPR&D and other intangible assets requires the Company to make significant estimates. The amount of the purchase price allocated to IPR&D and other intangible assets is determined by estimating the future cash flows of each project or technology and discounting the net cash flows back to their present values. The discount rate used is determined at the time of the acquisition in accordance with accepted valuation methods. For IPR&D, these valuation methodologies include consideration of the risk of the project not achieving commercial feasibility. The IPR&D will be subject to amortization upon commercialization. If the technology is abandoned, the IPR&D will be written-off.
	Contingent consideration is recorded at the acquisition date at the estimated fair value of the contingent payments. The acquisition date fair value is measured based on the consideration expected to be transferred (probability-weighted), discounted back to present value. The discount rate used is determined at the time of the acquisition in accordance with accepted valuation methods. The fair value of the contingent consideration is remeasured at the estimated fair value at each reporting period with the change in fair value recognized as income or expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
	Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of net assets, including IPR&D, of acquired businesses. Intevac’s methodology for allocating the purchase price relating to purchase acquisitions is determined through established and generally accepted valuation techniques. Goodwill is measured as the excess of the cost of the acquisition over the sum of the amounts assigned to tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired less liabilities assumed. Intevac assigns assets acquired (including goodwill) and liabilities assumed to a reporting unit as of the date of acquisition.
	Purchased intangible assets other than goodwill are amortized over their useful lives unless these lives are determined to be indefinite. Purchased intangible assets are carried at cost, less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, generally one to thirteen years using the straight line method.
	Goodwill and purchased intangible assets with indefinite useful lives were not amortized, but are reviewed for impairment annually during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicated that the carrying value of an asset may not have been recoverable. For goodwill, Intevac performed a two-step impairment test. In the first step, Intevac compared the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. Intevac’s reporting units are consistent with the reportable segments identified in Note 14, based on the manner in which Intevac operates its business and the nature of those operations. Depending on the facts and circumstances Intevac determined the fair value of each of its reporting units based upon the most appropriate valuation technique using the income approach, the market approach or a combination thereof. The income and market approaches were selected as management believed these approaches generally provided the most reliable indications of fair value when the value of the operations was more dependent on the ability to generate earnings than on the value of the assets used in the production process. Under the income approach Intevac calculated the fair value of the reporting units based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. Under the market approach Intevac estimated the fair value based on market multiples of revenue or earnings for comparable companies. Each valuation technique has advantages and drawbacks, which must be considered when applying those techniques. The income approach closely correlates to management’s expectations of future results but requires significant assumptions which can be highly sensitive. The market approach is relatively straightforward to measure, but it may be difficult to find directly comparable companies in the marketplace. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that unit, goodwill was not impaired and no further testing was performed. If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeded the fair value of the reporting unit, then Intevac would perform the second step of the impairment test in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeded its implied fair value, Intevac would record an impairment loss equal to the difference. In 2012, as a result of its impairment analysis, Intevac wrote off all of the goodwill in both its Equipment and Photonics reporting units.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	Long-lived assets and certain identifiable finite-lived intangible assets to be held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability of long-lived assets is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. Measurement of an impairment loss for long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangible assets that management expects to hold and use is based on the fair value of the asset. When an impairment loss is recognized, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value. No impairment charges were recognized in fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that a portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
	On a quarterly basis, Intevac provides for income taxes based upon an annual effective income tax rate. The effective tax rate is highly dependent upon the level of Intevac’s projected earnings, the geographic composition of worldwide earnings, tax regulations governing each region, net operating loss carryforwards, availability of tax credits and the effectiveness of Intevac’s tax planning strategies. Intevac carefully monitors the changes in many factors and adjust its effective income tax rate on a timely basis. If actual results differ from the estimates, this could have a material effect on Intevac’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
	The calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with Intevac’s expectations could have a material effect on Intevac’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
	Intevac recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes.
Sales and Value Added Taxes	Sales and Value Added Taxes
	Taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are presented on a net basis in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	Intevac recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred and title and risk of loss have passed to Intevac’s customer or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. Intevac’s shipping terms are customarily FOB shipping point or equivalent terms. Intevac’s revenue recognition policy generally results in revenue recognition at the following points: (1) for all transactions where legal title passes to the customer upon shipment, Intevac recognizes revenue upon shipment for all products that have been demonstrated to meet product specifications prior to shipment; the portion of revenue associated with certain installation-related tasks is deferred, and that revenue is recognized upon completion of the installation-related tasks; (2) for products that have not been demonstrated to meet product specifications prior to shipment, revenue is recognized at customer acceptance; and (3) for arrangements containing multiple elements, the revenue relating to the undelivered elements is deferred until delivery of the deferred elements. When a sales arrangement contains multiple elements, Intevac allocates revenue to each element based on a selling price hierarchy. The selling price for a deliverable is based on its VSOE if available, TPE if VSOE is not available, or best ESP if neither VSOE nor TPE is available. Intevac generally utilizes the ESP due to the nature of its products. In certain cases, technology upgrade sales are accounted for as multiple-element arrangements, usually split between delivery of the parts and installation on the customer’s systems. In these cases, Intevac recognizes revenue for the relative sales price of the parts upon shipment and transfer of title, and recognizes revenue for the relative sales price of installation services when those services are completed. Revenue related to sales of spare parts is generally recognized upon shipment. Revenue related to services is generally recognized upon completion of the services. In addition, Intevac uses the installment method to record revenue based on cash receipts in situations where the account receivable is collected over an extended period of time and in management’s judgment the degree of collectibility is uncertain.
	Intevac performs research and development work under various government-sponsored research contracts. Revenue on cost-plus-fee contracts is recognized to the extent of costs actually incurred plus a proportionate amount of the fee earned. Intevac considers fixed fees under cost-plus-fee contracts to be earned in proportion to the allowable costs actually incurred in performance of the contract. Revenue on fixed-price contracts is recognized on a milestone method or percentage-of-completion method of contract accounting. For contracts structured as milestone agreements, revenue is recognized when a specified milestone is achieved, provided that (1) the milestone event is substantive in nature and there is substantial uncertainty about the achievement of the milestone at the inception of the agreement, (2) the milestone payment is non-refundable, and (3) there is no continuing performance obligations associated with the milestone payment. Any milestone payments received prior to satisfying these revenue recognition criteria are deferred. Intevac generally determines the percentage completed based on the percentage of costs incurred to date in relation to total estimated costs expected through completion of the contract. When estimates of total costs to be incurred on a contract exceed estimates of total revenue to be earned, a provision for the entire loss on the contract is recorded in the period the loss is determined.
Advertising Costs	Advertising Costs
	Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were not material for all periods presented.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation
	The functional currency of Intevac’s foreign subsidiaries in Singapore and Hong Kong and the Taiwan branch is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of Intevac’s foreign subsidiaries in China, Malaysia and Korea is the local currency of the country in which the respective subsidiary operates. Assets and liabilities recorded in foreign currencies are translated at year-end exchange rates; revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the year. The effect of foreign currency translation adjustments are included in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The effects of foreign currency transactions are included in other income in the determination of net income. Net income (losses) from foreign currency transactions were $11,000, $(36,000), and $(78,000) in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Comprehensive Income	Comprehensive Income
	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component, were as follows for the years ended January 3, 2015 and December 31, 2013:
		Foreign			Unrealized			Total
		currency			holding
					gains
					(losses) on
					available-
					for-sale
					investments
		(in thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	694		$	75		$	769
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassification		(3	)		(41	)		(44	)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		—			—			—
	Net current-period other comprehensive loss		(3	)		(41	)		(44	)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	691		$	34		$	725
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassification		(71	)		(35	)		(106	)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		—			—			—
	Net current-period other comprehensive loss		(71	)		(35	)		(106	)
	Balance at January 3, 2015	$	620		$	(1	)	$	619
Employee Stock Plans	Employee Stock Plans
	Intevac has equity-based compensation plans that provide for the grant to employees of equity-based awards, including incentive or non-statutory stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (“RSUs” also referred to as performance units) and performance shares. In addition, these plans provide for the grant of non-statutory stock options and RSUs to non-employee directors and consultants. Intevac also has an employee stock purchase plan, which provides Intevac’s employees with the opportunity to purchase Intevac common stock at a discount through payroll deductions. See Note 2 for a complete description of these plans and their accounting treatment.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern”. This ASU is intended to define management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The amendments in this ASU will be effective for Intevac in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this accounting standard update on our consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) which provides guidance for revenue recognition. This ASU affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets. This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance. This ASU also supersedes some cost guidance included in Subtopic 605-35, Revenue Recognition-Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under today’s guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. The standard will be effective for Intevac in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 using one of two retrospective application methods. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this accounting standard update on our consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that raises the threshold for a disposal transaction to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires additional disclosures about discontinued operations and disposals of individually significant components that do not qualify as discontinued operations. The authoritative guidance becomes effective prospectively for Intevac in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component, were as follows for the years ended January 3, 2015 and December 31, 2013:
		Foreign			Unrealized			Total
		currency			holding
					gains
					(losses) on
					available-
					for-sale
					investments
		(in thousands)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	694		$	75		$	769
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassification		(3	)		(41	)		(44	)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		—			—			—
	Net current-period other comprehensive loss		(3	)		(41	)		(44	)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	691		$	34		$	725
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassification		(71	)		(35	)		(106	)
	Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income		—			—			—
	Net current-period other comprehensive loss		(71	)		(35	)		(106	)
	Balance at January 3, 2015	$	620		$	(1	)	$	619

EquityBased_Compensation_Table

Equity-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Effect of Recording Equity-Based Compensation	The effect of recording equity-based compensation for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 was as follows (in thousands):
		2014			2013			2012
	Equity-based compensation by type of award:
	Stock options	$	1,094		$	984		$	2,302
	RSUs		1,464			419			201
	Employee stock purchase plan		442			1,091			1,317
	Total equity-based compensation	$	3,000		$	2,494		$	3,820
	Tax effect on equity-based compensation	$	—		$	27		$	870
Employee Stock Options Weighted-Average Assumptions	The weighted average assumptions used in the model are outlined in the following table:
		2014			2013			2012
	Stock Options:
	Weighted-average fair value of grants per share	$	3.15		$	2.49		$	3.82
	Expected volatility		52.12	%		56.28	%		63.56	%
	Risk free interest rate		1.39	%		1.09	%		0.73	%
	Expected term of options (in years)		4.38			4.2			4.6
	Dividend yield		None			None			None
Option Activity and Changes	A summary of the stock option activity is as follows:
		Shares			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
					Average			Average			Intrinsic
					Exercise			Remaining			Value
					Price			Contractual
								Term (years)
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2013		2,637,969		$	8.53			4.52		$	2,547,939
	Options granted		534,985		$	7.35
	Options cancelled and forfeited		(397,605	)	$	10.44
	Options exercised		(190,414	)	$	4.98
	Options outstanding at January 3, 2015		2,584,935		$	8.26			4.15		$	1,895,817
	Vested and expected to vest at January 3, 2015		2,416,921		$	8.37			4.05		$	1,749,778
	Options exercisable at January 3, 2015		1,470,523		$	9.41			3.18		$	945,484
Options Outstanding and Currently Exercisable	The options outstanding and currently exercisable at January 3, 2015 were in the following exercise price ranges:
		Options Outstanding									Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Prices	Number of			Weighted			Weighted			Number		Weighted
		Shares			Average			Average			Vested and		Average
		Outstanding			Remaining			Exercise Price			Exercisable		Exercise Price
					Contractual
					Term (years)
	$3.91 - $ 6.55		896,836			4.65		$	5.4			389,359	$	5.03
	$6.63 - $8.24		876,474			4.71		$	7.42			359,924	$	7.6
	$8.43 - $22.40		811,625			3		$	12.32			721,240	$	12.68
	$3.91 - $22.40		2,584,935			4.15		$	8.26			1,470,523	$	9.41
Summary of Restricted Stock Units Activity	A summary of the RSU activity is as follows:
		Shares			Weighted			Weighted			Aggregate
					Average			Average			Intrinsic
					Grant			Remaining			Value
					Date			Contractual
					Fair Value			Term (years)
	Non-vested RSUs at December 31, 2013		237,859		$	5.34			1.8		$	1,767,293
	Granted		277,498		$	7.3
	Vested		(71,856	)	$	5.39
	Cancelled		(93,072	)	$	6.31
	Non-vested RSUs at January 3, 2015		350,429		$	6.62			1.56		$	2,586,166
Employee Stock Purchase Rights Weighted-Average Assumptions	The fair value of the employee stock purchase right is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
		2014			2013			2012
	Stock Purchase Rights:
	Weighted-average fair value of grants per share	$	2.08		$	1.63		$	3.01
	Expected volatility		44	%		51.54	%		62.36	%
	Risk free interest rate		0.11	%		0.26	%		0.28	%
	Expected term of purchase rights (in years)		0.69			1.77			1.68
	Dividend yield		None			None			None
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Activity	The ESPP activity during fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Shares purchased		444			457			301
	Weighted average purchase price per share	$	3.63		$	3.58		$	5.73
	Aggregate intrinsic value of purchase rights exercised	$	1,444		$	745		$	304

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Computation of Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted loss per share:
		2014			2013			2012
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Net loss	$	(27,445	)	$	(15,696	)	$	(55,319	)
	Weighted-average shares – basic		23,671			23,832			23,336
	Effect of dilutive potential common shares		—			—			—
	Weighted-average shares – diluted		23,671			23,832			23,336
	Net loss per share – basic and diluted	$	(1.16	)	$	(0.66	)	$	(2.37	)
	Antidilutive shares based on employee awards excluded		2,113			2,579			3,008

Concentrations_Tables

Concentrations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Accounts Receivable
Customers that Accounted for at Least Ten percent of Accounts Receivable/Consolidated Net Revenues	The following customers accounted for at least 10 percent of Intevac’s accounts receivable at January 3, 2015 and December 31, 2013.
			2014			2013
	Seagate Technology			46	%		40	%
	U.S. Government			13	%		*
	Northrop Grumman			*			11	%
	*	Less than 10%
Sales Revenue Net
Customers that Accounted for at Least Ten percent of Accounts Receivable/Consolidated Net Revenues	The following customers accounted for at least 10 percent of Intevac’s consolidated net revenues in fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012.
			2014			2013			2012
	U.S. Government			32	%		*			10	%
	HGST			17	%		*			*
	Seagate Technology			15	%		37	%		51	%
	Northrop Grumman			*			11	%		*
	*	Less than 10%

Balance_Sheet_Details_Tables

Balance Sheet Details (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Components of Receivables	Receivables consisted of the following components:
		January 3,		December 31,
		2015		2013
		(in thousands)
	Trade receivables and other	$	10,548	$	12,043
	Unbilled costs and accrued profits		1,539		2,994
	Less: allowance for doubtful accounts		—		—
		$	12,087	$	15,037
Reconciliation of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	The following table represents a reconciliation of the allowance for doubtful accounts for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		2014		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Opening balance	$	—	$	—	$	41
	Bad debt expense		—		—		3,017
	Write-offs		—		—		(3,058	)
	Closing balance	$	—	$	—	$	—
Summary of Inventories	Inventories are stated at the lower of average cost or market and consist of the following:
		January 3,		December 31,
		2015		2013
		(in thousands)
	Raw materials	$	10,684	$	13,005
	Work-in-progress		2,299		8,196
	Finished goods		6,229		1,561
		$	19,212	$	22,762
Property Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment
		January 3,		December 31,
		2015		2013
		(in thousands)
	Leasehold improvements	$	15,245	$	15,090
	Machinery and equipment		43,141		39,938
			58,386		55,028
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		45,560		42,083
	Total property, plant and equipment, net	$	12,826	$	12,945
Other Accrued Liabilities	Other Accrued Liabilities
		January 3,		December 31,
		2015		2013
		(in thousands)
	Deferred revenue	$	4,260	$	496
	Payable for pending purchase of available-for-sale marketable securities		2,059		—
	Accrued product warranties		1,022		1,546
	Other taxes payable		277		551
	Acquisition-related contingent consideration		59		164
	Other		595		506
	Total other accrued liabilities	$	8,272	$	3,263
Other Long Term Liabilities	Other Long-Term Liabilities
		January 3,		December 31,
		2015		2013
		(in thousands)
	Acquisition-related contingent consideration	$	1,075	$	1,220
	Deferred rent		861		—
	Accrued product warranties		164		101
	Accrued income taxes		100		394
	Total other long-term liabilities	$	2,200	$	1,715

Goodwill_and_Purchased_Intangi1

Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Information Regarding Other Acquisition Related Intangible Assets	Information regarding acquisition-related intangible assets is as follows:
		January 3, 2015						December 31, 2013
		Gross		Accumulated		Net		Gross		Accumulated		Net
		Carrying		Amortization		Carrying		Carrying		Amortization		Carrying
		Amount				Amount		Amount				Amount
		(in thousands)
	Customer relationships	$	3,119	$	2,426	$	693	$	3,119	$	2,206	$	913
	Purchased technology		5,148		1,875		3,273		5,148		1,159		3,989
	Covenants not to compete		40		40		—		40		40		—
	Backlog		80		80		—		80		80		—
	Total amortizable intangible assets	$	8,387	$	4,421	$	3,966	$	8,387	$	3,485	$	4,902
Estimated Future Amortization Expense Related to Finite-Lived Purchased Intangible Assets	Estimated future amortization expense related to finite-lived purchased intangible assets as of January 3, 2015, is as follows.
	(in thousands)
	2015	$	853
	2016		853
	2017		756
	2018		615
	2019		615
	Thereafter		274
		$	3,966

Contingent_Consideration_Table

Contingent Consideration (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Quantitative Information of Significant Unobservable Inputs of Contingent Consideration Liability	The following table represents the quantitative range of the significant unobservable inputs used in the calculation of fair value of the contingent consideration liability as of January 3, 2015. Significant increases or decreases in any of these inputs even in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.
		Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements at January 3, 2015
		Fair Value			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
		(in thousands, except for percentages)
	Revenue Earnout	$	1,134		Discounted cash flow		Weighted average cost of capital	15.60%
							Probability weighting of	20.0% - 55.0% (36.5%)
							achieving revenue forecasts
Reconciliation of Change in Fair Value Measurement of Contingent Consideration Liability	The following table represents a reconciliation of the change in the fair value measurement of the contingent consideration liability for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		2014			2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Beginning balance	$	1,384		$	5,151		$	8,715
	Changes in fair value		(250	)		(3,727	)		(219	)
	Cash payments made		—			(40	)		(3,345	)
	Ending balance	$	1,134		$	1,384		$	5,151

Divestitures_Tables

Divestitures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
DeltaNu
Summary of Components of Gain (Loss)	The following table summarizes the components of the loss (in thousands):
	Cash proceeds	$	500
	Assets sold:
	Accounts receivable		147
	Inventories		320
	Other current assets		27
	Property, plant and equipment		159
	Trade name		90
	Total assets sold		743
	Liabilities divested:
	Accounts payable		59
	Other accrued expenses		6
	Total liabilities divested		65
	Transaction and other costs		30
	Loss on sale	$	(208	)
Mainframe Technology
Summary of Components of Gain (Loss)	The following table summarizes the components of the gain (in thousands):
	Cash proceeds	$	3,000
	Assets sold:
	Inventories		589
	Property, plant and equipment		178
	Transaction and other costs		26
	Gain on sale	$	2,207

Financial_Instruments_Tables

Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments and Long-Term Investments	Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments consist of:
			January 3, 2015
			Amortized			Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair
			Cost			Holding		Holding			Value
						Gains		Losses
			(in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash		$	4,948		$	—	$	—		$	4,948
	Money market funds			16,534			—		—			16,534
	Total cash and cash equivalents		$	21,482		$	—	$	—		$	21,482
	Short-term investments:
	Commercial paper		$	2,995		$	2	$	—		$	2,997
	Corporate bonds and medium-term notes			21,203			2		6			21,199
	Municipal bonds			5,392			11		1			5,402
	Total short-term investments		$	29,590		$	15	$	7		$	29,598
	Long-term investments:
	Corporate bonds and medium-term notes		$	6,266		$	1	$	4		$	6,263
	Municipal bonds			2,290			—		8			2,282
	U.S. treasury and agency securities			8,995			3		1			8,997
	Total long-term investments		$	17,551		$	4	$	13		$	17,542
	Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments		$	68,623		$	19	$	20		$	68,622
			December 31, 2013
			Amortized			Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair
			Cost			Holding		Holding			Value
						Gains		Losses
			(in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash		$	5,819		$	—	$	—		$	5,819
	Money market funds			14,302			—		—			14,302
	Total cash and cash equivalents		$	20,121		$	—	$	—		$	20,121
	Short-term investments:
	Commercial paper		$	1,998		$	1	$	—		$	1,999
	Corporate bonds and medium-term notes			27,181			13		3			27,191
	Municipal bonds			6,108			4		—			6,112
	U.S. treasury and agency securities			13,506			7		—			13,513
	VRDNs			160			—		—			160
	Total short-term investments		$	48,953		$	25	$	3		$	48,975
	Long-term investments:
	Corporate bonds and medium-term notes		$	8,811		$	12	$	—		$	8,823
	Municipal bonds			3,495			2		2			3,495
	Total long-term investments		$	12,306		$	14	$	2		$	12,318
	Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments		$	81,380		$	39	$	5		$	81,414
Contractual Maturities of Available-for-Sale Securities	The contractual maturities of available-for-sale securities at January 3, 2015 are presented in the following table.
			Amortized			Fair
			Cost			Value
			(in thousands)
	Due in one year or less		$	45,121		$	45,129
	Due after one through two years			18,554			18,545
			$	63,675		$	63,674
Fair Market Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses Not Deemed to be Other-Than Temporarily Impaired	The following table provides the fair market value of Intevac’s investments with unrealized losses that are not deemed to be other-than temporarily impaired as of January 3, 2015.
			January 3, 2015
			In Loss Position for					In Loss Position for
			Less than 12 Months					Greater than
								12 Months
			Fair			Gross		Fair			Gross
			Value			Unrealized		Value			Unrealized
						Losses					Losses
			(in thousands)
	Corporate bonds and medium-term notes		$	15,869		$	10	$	—		$	—
	Municipal bonds			3,281			9		—			—
	U.S. treasury and agency securities			1,999			1		—			—
			$	21,149		$	20	$	—		$	—
Fair Value Hierarchy of Available-for-Sale Securities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The following table represents the fair value hierarchy of Intevac’s available-for-sale securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of January 3, 2015.
			Fair Value Measurements
			at January 3, 2015
			Total			Level 1		Level 2
			(in thousands)
	Recurring fair value measurements:
	Available-for-sale securities
	Money market funds		$	16,534		$	16,534	$	—
	U.S. treasury and agency securities			8,997			6,997		2,000
	Commercial paper			2,997			—		2,997
	Corporate bonds and medium-term notes			27,462			—		27,462
	Municipal bonds			7,684			—		7,684
	Total recurring fair value measurements		$	63,674		$	23,531	$	40,143
Changes in Level Three Instruments Consisting of Auction Rate Securities Classified As Available-for-Sale Securities and Measured on Recurring Basis	The following table presents the changes in Level 3 instruments which consisted of ARS which were classified as available-for-sale securities and which were measured on a recurring basis for the year ended December 31, 2012. The Company did not hold any ARS as of or during the year ended January 3, 2015.
			2012
			(in thousands)
	Opening balance		$	4,490
	Total gains (losses) for the period
	Included in earnings			(381	)
	Included in other comprehensive income			410
	Proceeds from sales			(1,748	)
	Proceeds from tender offers			(2,771	)
	Closing balance		$	—
Summary of Outstanding Derivative Instruments on Gross Basis as Recorded in Consolidated Balance Sheets	The following table summarizes the Company’s outstanding derivative instruments on a gross basis as recorded in its consolidated balance sheets as of January 3, 2015 and December 31, 2013:
			Notional Amounts					Derivative Assets									Derivative Liabilities
	Derivative Instrument		January 3,			December 31,		January 3,					December 31,				January 3,					December 31,
			2015			2013		2015					2013				2015					2013
								Balance			Fair		Balance		Fair		Balance			Fair		Balance		Fair
								Sheet			Value		Sheet		Value		Sheet			Value		Sheet		Value
								Line					Line				Line					Line
			(in thousands)
	Undesignated Hedges:
	Forward Foreign Currency Contracts		$	2,647		$	894		(a	)	$	10		—	$	—		(b	)	$	4		—	$	—
	Total Hedges		$	2,647		$	894				$	10			$	—				$	4			$	—
	(a)	Prepaid expenses and other current assets
	(b)	Other accrued liabilities

Equity_Tables

Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Stock Repurchases	The following table summarizes Intevac’s stock repurchases for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		2014		2013		2012
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Shares of common stock repurchased		1,185		241		—
	Cost of stock repurchased	$	8,302	$	1,688	$	—
	Average price paid per share	$	6.97	$	6.97	$	—

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes	The provision for (benefit from) income taxes on loss from continuing operations for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 consists of the following (in thousands):
		2014			2013			2012
	Federal:
	Current	$	(324	)	$	(3,925	)	$	3
	Deferred		—			3,387			17,160
			(324	)		(538	)		17,163
	State:
	Current		5			12			(13	)
	Deferred		—			—			—
			5			12			(13	)
	Foreign:
	Current		81			(38	)		(150	)
	Deferred		8,666			(1,158	)		(3,760	)
			8,747			(1,196	)		(3,910	)
	Total	$	8,428		$	(1,722	)	$	13,240
Loss Before Income Taxes (Benefit)	Loss before income taxes (benefit) for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		2014			2013			2012
	U.S	$	(13,191	)	$	(11,478	)	$	(32,128	)
	Foreign		(5,826	)		(5,940	)		(9,951	)
		$	(19,017	)	$	(17,418	)	$	(42,079	)
	Effective tax rate		(44.3	)%		9.9	%		(31.5	)%
Significant Components of Deferred Tax Assets	Significant components of deferred tax assets are as follows (in thousands):
		January 3,			December 31,
		2015			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Vacation, warranty and other accruals	$	997		$	1,269
	Depreciation and amortization		538			1,554
	Intangible amortization		2,767			3,235
	Inventory valuation		3,117			1,706
	Deferred income		1,621			43
	Equity-based compensation		5,920			6,242
	Net operating loss, research and other tax credit carryforwards		47,044			43,470
	Other		358			49
			62,362			57,568
	Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets		(60,612	)		(46,126	)
	Total deferred tax assets		1,750			11,442
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Purchased technology		(1,195	)		(1,488	)
	Unbilled revenue		(555	)		(1,004	)
	Other		—			(284	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(1,750	)		(2,776	)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	—		$	8,666
	As reported on the balance sheet:
	Current deferred tax assets	$	—		$	103
	Non-current deferred tax assets		5			9,502
	Current deferred tax liability		(5	)		(939	)
		$	—		$	8,666
Difference Between Tax Provision (Benefit) at Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate and Tax Provision	The difference between the tax provision (benefit) at the statutory federal income tax rate and the tax provision (benefit) for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 was as follows (in thousands):
		2014			2013			2012
	Income tax (benefit) at the federal statutory rate	$	(6,656	)	$	(6,096	)	$	(14,728	)
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit		5			12			(15	)
	Change in valuation allowance:
	U.S		4,733			7,201			23,330
	Foreign		9,394			—			—
	Effect of foreign operations taxed at various rates		1,662			983			(428	)
	Nondeductible goodwill impairment		—			—			3,670
	Research tax credits		(569	)		(2,284	)		—
	Effect of tax rate changes, permanent differences and adjustments of prior deferrals		153			(1,062	)		367
	Unrecognized tax benefits		(294	)		(476	)		1,044
	Total	$	8,428		$	(1,722	)	$	13,240
Aggregate Changes in Balance of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits	The aggregate changes in the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits were as follows for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		2014			2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Beginning balance	$	6,482		$	6,000		$	5,022
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		57			597			978
	Additions for tax positions of prior years		250			98			—
	Settlements		—			—			—
	Lapse of statute of limitations		(211	)		(213	)		—
	Ending balance	$	6,578		$	6,482		$	6,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Future Minimum Lease Payments	As of January 3, 2015, future minimum lease payments are as follows.
	(in thousands)
	2015	$	3,206
	2016		3,075
	2017		2,640
	2018		2,630
	2019		2,709
	Thereafter		12,440
		$	26,700
Activity in Warranty Provision Account	The following table displays the activity in the warranty provision account for fiscal 2014 and 2013:
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Beginning balance	$	1,647		$	2,349
	Expenditures incurred under warranties		(834	)		(1,033	)
	Accruals for product warranties		931			1,091
	Adjustments to previously existing warranty accruals		(558	)		(760	)
	Ending balance	$	1,186		$	1,647

Segment_and_Geographic_Informa1

Segment and Geographic Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Information for Each Reportable Segment	Information for each reportable segment for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
			2014			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Net Revenues
	Equipment		$	25,290		$	39,135		$	52,538
	Photonics			40,260			30,497			30,886
	Total segment net revenues		$	65,550		$	69,632		$	83,424
			2014			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Operating Profit (Loss)
	Equipment		$	(22,008	)	$	(12,951	)	$	(19,934	)
	Photonics			8,932			1,058			(206	)
	Total segment operating profit (loss)			(13,076	)		(11,893	)		(20,140	)
	Unallocated costs			(6,278	)		(5,722	)		(6,181	)
	Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets			—			—			(18,419	)
	Gain (loss) on divestitures			—			(208	)		2,207
	Operating loss			(19,354	)		(17,823	)		(42,533	)
	Interest income			179			279			806
	Other income (expense), net			158			126			(352	)
	Loss before income taxes		$	(19,017	)	$	(17,418	)	$	(42,079	)
			2014			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Depreciation and Amortization
	Equipment		$	2,379		$	2,146		$	2,003
	Photonics			1,834			1,900			1,806
	Total segment depreciation and amortization			4,213			4,046			3,809
	Unallocated costs			492			472			670
	Total consolidated depreciation and amortization		$	4,705		$	4,518		$	4,479
			2014			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Capital Additions
	Equipment		$	2,230		$	1,857		$	1,260
	Photonics			1,203			894			1,535
	Total segment capital additions			3,433			2,751			2,795
	Unallocated			272			572			485
	Total consolidated capital additions		$	3,705		$	3,323		$	3,280
Segment Assets
			2014			2013
			(in thousands)
	Segment Assets
	Equipment		$	30,670		$	33,428
	Photonics			17,126			21,120
	Total segment assets			47,796			54,548
	Cash and investments			68,622			81,414
	Restricted cash			1,780			—
	Deferred income taxes			5			9,605
	Other current assets			989			982
	Common property, plant and equipment			1,083			1,302
	Other assets			—			425
	Consolidated total assets		$	120,275		$	148,276
Revenue by Geographic Region/Country	Geographic revenue information for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 is based on the location of the customer. Revenue from unaffiliated customers by geographic region/country was as follows:
			2014			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	United States		$	51,584		$	32,534		$	30,845
	Asia (*)			9,931			31,907			47,712
	Europe			4,035			5,191			3,795
	Rest of world			—			—			1,072
	Total net revenues		$	65,550		$	69,632		$	83,424
	(*)	Revenues are attributable to the geographic area in which Intevac’s customers are located. Net trade revenues in Asia include shipments to Singapore, China, Japan and Malaysia.
Net Property, Plant and Equipment by Geographic Region	Net property, plant and equipment by geographic region at January 3, 2015 and December 31, 2013 was as follows:
			January 3,			December 31,
			2015			2013
			(in thousands)
	United States		$	11,534		$	11,240
	Asia			1,292			1,705
	Net property, plant & equipment		$	12,826		$	12,945

Restructuring_Charges_Tables

Restructuring Charges (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Changes in Restructuring Reserves	The changes in restructuring reserves associated with the Plan for fiscal 2014 and 2013, are as follows.
		Severance and
		other employee-
		related costs
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Balance at the beginning of the year	$	—		$	—
	Provision for restructuring charges		288			742
	Cash payments made		(288	)		(742	)
	Balance at the end of the year	$	—		$	—

Selected_Quarterly_Consolidate1

Selected Quarterly Consolidated Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Selected Quarterly Consolidated Financial Data
		Three Months Ended
		March 29,			June 28,			Sept. 27,			Jan. 03,
		2014			2014			2014			2015
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Net sales	$	17,015		$	14,715		$	14,757		$	19,062
	Gross profit		4,810			5,211			4,815			2,596
	Net loss		(4,521	)		(5,007	)		(3,559	)		(14,358	)
	Basic and diluted loss per share	$	(0.19	)	$	(0.21	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.62	)
		Three Months Ended
		March 30,			June 29,			Sept. 28,			Dec. 31,
		2013			2013			2013			2013
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Net sales	$	12,982		$	16,983		$	19,115		$	20,552
	Gross profit		3,514			3,829			6,895			7,737
	Net income (loss)		(8,264	)		(6,412	)		(2,745	)		1,725
	Basic and diluted loss per share	$	(0.35	)	$	(0.27	)	$	(0.11	)	$	0.07

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$1,780,000
Net income (losses) from foreign currency transactions	11,000	-36,000	-78,000
Pledged as Collateral for Standby Letter of Credit
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Restricted cash	1,000,000
Collateral for Banker's Guarantee
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$780,000
Minimum
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful life	1 year
Maximum
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible assets estimated useful life	13 years
Computers and Software
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of asset	3 years
Machinery and Equipment
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of asset	5 years
Furniture and Fixtures
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of asset	7 years
Vehicles
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives of asset	4 years
Leasehold Improvements
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Lease and leasehold improvements estimated useful lives	Remaining lease term

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$725	$769
Other comprehensive loss before reclassification	-106	-44
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income	0	0
Net current-period other comprehensive loss	-106	-44	355
Ending Balance	619	725	769
Accumulated Translation Adjustment
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	691	694
Other comprehensive loss before reclassification	-71	-3
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income	0	0
Net current-period other comprehensive loss	-71	-3
Ending Balance	620	691
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	34	75
Other comprehensive loss before reclassification	-35	-41
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income	0	0
Net current-period other comprehensive loss	-35	-41
Ending Balance	($1)	$34

EquityBased_Compensation_Addit

Equity-Based Compensation - Additional information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	EquityPlan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of option price related to fair market value	100.00%
Common stock shares authorized for further issuance	4,900,000
2012 plan options expiration date	8-May-22
Purchase of common stock through payroll deductions	85.00%
Offering periods	2 years
Purchase intervals of a series	6 months
Maximum employee salary withholdings for purchase of common stock under the terms of the ESPP	15.00%
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$496,000	$49,000	$194,000
Total unrecognized compensation expense	1,300,000
Number of outstanding stock options	2,584,935	2,637,969
Compensation expense	3,000,000	2,494,000	3,820,000
RSU conversion ratio	1
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options, expiration period	10 years
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award, vesting period	4 years
Unrecognized compensation expenses recognition period	1 year 4 months 10 days
Compensation expense	1,094,000	984,000	2,302,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award, vesting period	4 years
Unrecognized compensation expenses recognition period	1 year 6 months 22 days
Compensation expense	1,464,000	419,000	201,000
Unrecognized compensation expense	1,100,000
Employee Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available under issuance of ESPP	400,000
Total unrecognized compensation expense	19,000
Unrecognized compensation expenses recognition period	3 months
Stock Option Exchange Program
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of option holders exchanged options	87
Number of stock options exchanged	766,000
Compensation expense	126,000
Stock Option Exchange Program | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award, vesting period	3 years
Stock Option Exchange Program | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award, vesting period	1 year
Options exercise price per share	$8.49
Minimum percentage of closing stock price for exchange to occur	50.00%
2012 Equity Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of outstanding stock options	336,000
Annual Incentive Plan | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award, vesting period	1 year
Unrecognized compensation expenses recognition period	8 months 9 days
Compensation expense	554,000
Unrecognized compensation expense	$623,000

Effect_of_Recording_EquityBase

Effect of Recording Equity-Based Compensation (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity Based Compensation Related to Employee Stock Purchase Programs [Line Items]
Total equity-based compensation	$3,000	$2,494	$3,820
Tax effect on equity-based compensation		27	870
Stock Options
Equity Based Compensation Related to Employee Stock Purchase Programs [Line Items]
Total equity-based compensation	1,094	984	2,302
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Equity Based Compensation Related to Employee Stock Purchase Programs [Line Items]
Total equity-based compensation	1,464	419	201
ESPP awards
Equity Based Compensation Related to Employee Stock Purchase Programs [Line Items]
Total equity-based compensation	$442	$1,091	$1,317

WeightedAverage_Fair_Value_of_

Weighted-Average Fair Value of Stock Options and Employee Stock Purchase Rights using Weighted-Average Assumptions (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock Options
Employee stock options weighted-average assumptions
Weighted-average fair value of grants per share	$3.15	$2.49	$3.82
Expected volatility	52.12%	56.28%	63.56%
Risk free interest rate	1.39%	1.09%	0.73%
Expected term of options (in years)	4 years 4 months 17 days	4 years 2 months 12 days	4 years 7 months 6 days
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Stock Purchase Rights
Employee stock options weighted-average assumptions
Weighted-average fair value of grants per share	$2.08	$1.63	$3.01
Expected volatility	44.00%	51.54%	62.36%
Risk free interest rate	0.11%	0.26%	0.28%
Expected term of options (in years)	8 months 9 days	1 year 9 months 7 days	1 year 8 months 5 days
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Option_Activity_and_Changes_De

Option Activity and Changes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
Shares
Options outstanding at December 31, 2013	2,637,969
Options granted	534,985
Options cancelled and forfeited	-397,605
Options exercised	-190,414
Options outstanding at January 3, 2015	2,584,935	2,637,969
Vested and expected to vest at January 3, 2015	2,416,921
Options exercisable at January 3, 2015	1,470,523
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Options outstanding at December 31, 2013	$8.53
Options granted	$7.35
Options cancelled and forfeited	$10.44
Options exercised	$4.98
Options outstanding at January 3, 2015	$8.26	$8.53
Vested and expected to vest at January 3, 2015	$8.37
Options exercisable at January 3, 2015	$9.41
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Options outstanding	4 years 1 month 24 days	4 years 6 months 7 days
Vested and expected to vest at January 3, 2015	4 years 18 days
Options exercisable at January 3, 2015	3 years 2 months 5 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding at December 31, 2013	$2,547,939
Options outstanding at January 3, 2015	1,895,817	2,547,939
Vested and expected to vest at January 3, 2015	1,749,778
Options exercisable at January 3, 2015	$945,484

Options_Outstanding_and_Curren

Options Outstanding and Currently Exercisable (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Exercise Price Range Range One
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, minimum	$3.91
Range of Exercise Prices, maximum	$6.55
Number of Shares Outstanding	896,836
Options Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (In Years)	4 years 7 months 24 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$5.40
Number Vested and Exercisable	389,359
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$5.03
Exercise Price Range Range Two
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, minimum	$6.63
Range of Exercise Prices, maximum	$8.24
Number of Shares Outstanding	876,474
Options Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (In Years)	4 years 8 months 16 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$7.42
Number Vested and Exercisable	359,924
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$7.60
Exercise Price Range Range Three
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, minimum	$8.43
Range of Exercise Prices, maximum	$22.40
Number of Shares Outstanding	811,625
Options Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (In Years)	3 years
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$12.32
Number Vested and Exercisable	721,240
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$12.68
Exercise Price Range Range Four
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, minimum	$3.91
Range of Exercise Prices, maximum	$22.40
Number of Shares Outstanding	2,584,935
Options Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (In Years)	4 years 1 month 24 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$8.26
Number Vested and Exercisable	1,470,523
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$9.41

Summary_of_Restricted_Stock_Un

Summary of Restricted Stock Units Activity (Detail) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Shares
Non-vested RSUs at December 31, 2013	237,859
Granted	277,498
Vested	-71,856
Cancelled	-93,072
Non-vested RSUs at January 3, 2015	350,429
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested RSUs at December 31, 2013	$5.34
Granted	$7.30
Vested	$5.39
Cancelled	$6.31
Non-vested RSUs at January 3, 2015	$6.62
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Non-vested RSUs at December 31, 2013	1 year 9 months 18 days
Non-vested RSUs at January 3, 2015	1 year 6 months 22 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Non-vested RSUs at December 31, 2013	$1,767,293
Non-vested RSUs at January 3, 2015	$2,586,166

Employee_Stock_Purchase_Plan_A

Employee Stock Purchase Plan Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Line Items]
Shares purchased	444	457	301
Weighted average purchase price per share	$3.63	$3.58	$5.73
Aggregate intrinsic value of purchase rights exercised	$1,444	$745	$304

Computation_of_Basic_and_Dilut

Computation of Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule Of Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Common Share [Line Items]
Net loss	($14,358)	($3,559)	($5,007)	($4,521)	$1,725	($2,745)	($6,412)	($8,264)	($27,445)	($15,696)	($55,319)
Weighted-average shares - basic									23,671	23,832	23,336
Effect of dilutive potential common shares									0	0	0
Weighted-average shares - diluted									23,671	23,832	23,336
Net loss per share - basic and diluted	($0.62)	($0.15)	($0.21)	($0.19)	$0.07	($0.11)	($0.27)	($0.35)	($1.16)	($0.66)	($2.37)
Antidilutive shares based on employee awards excluded									2,113	2,579	3,008

Customers_That_Accounted_for_a

Customers That Accounted for at Least Ten percent of Accounts Receivable (Detail) (Accounts Receivable, Credit Concentration Risk)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015		Dec. 31, 2013
Seagate Technology
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	46.00%		40.00%
U.S. Government
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	13.00%			[1]
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage		[1]	11.00%
[1]	Less than 10%

Customers_That_Accounted_for_a1

Customers That Accounted for at Least Ten percent of Consolidated Net Revenues (Detail) (Sales Revenue Net, Customer Concentration Risk [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
U.S. Government
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	32.00%			[1]	10.00%
HGST
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	17.00%			[1]		[1]
Seagate Technology
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	15.00%		37.00%		51.00%
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage		[1]	11.00%			[1]
[1]	Less than 10%

Components_of_Receivables_Deta

Components of Receivables (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts and Other Receivables [Line Items]
Trade receivables and other	$10,548	$12,043
Unbilled costs and accrued profits	1,539	2,994
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	0	0
Trade and other accounts receivable, net of allowances of $0 at both January 3, 2015 and December 31, 2013 .	$12,087	$15,037

Reconciliation_of_Allowance_fo

Reconciliation of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Provisions for Doubtful Accounts [Line Items]
Opening balance	$41
Bad debt expense	3,017
Write-offs	($3,058)

Inventories_Stated_at_Lower_of

Inventories Stated at Lower of Average Cost or Market (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory [Line Items]
Raw materials	$10,684	$13,005
Work-in-progress	2,299	8,196
Finished goods	6,229	1,561
Inventories	$19,212	$22,762

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property Plant and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment	$58,386	$55,028
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	45,560	42,083
Total property, plant and equipment, net	12,826	12,945
Leasehold Improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment	15,245	15,090
Machinery and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment	$43,141	$39,938

Balance_Sheet_Details_Addition

Balance Sheet Details - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
Balance Sheet Details [Line Items]
Customer advances	$2,400,000	$1,100,000
Accounts payable, book overdraft	$254,000	$325,000

Other_Accrued_Liabilities_Deta

Other Accrued Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	$4,260	$496
Payable for pending purchase of available-for-sale marketable securities	2,059
Accrued product warranties	1,022	1,546
Other taxes payable	277	551
Acquisition-related contingent consideration	59	164
Other	595	506
Total other accrued liabilities	$8,272	$3,263

Other_Long_Term_Liabilities_De

Other Long Term Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Long Term Liabilities [Line Items]
Acquisition-related contingent consideration	$1,075	$1,220
Deferred rent	861
Accrued product warranties	164	101
Accrued income taxes	100	394
Total other long-term liabilities	$2,200	$1,715

Information_Regarding_Other_Ac

Information Regarding Other Acquisition Related Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Finite Lived, Gross Carrying Amount	$8,387	$8,387
Accumulated Amortization	4,421	3,485
Finite Lived, Net Carrying Amount	3,966	4,902
Customer Relationships
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Finite Lived, Gross Carrying Amount	3,119	3,119
Accumulated Amortization	2,426	2,206
Finite Lived, Net Carrying Amount	693	913
Purchased technology
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Finite Lived, Gross Carrying Amount	5,148	5,148
Accumulated Amortization	1,875	1,159
Finite Lived, Net Carrying Amount	3,273	3,989
Covenants not to compete
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Finite Lived, Gross Carrying Amount	40	40
Accumulated Amortization	40	40
Backlog
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]
Finite Lived, Gross Carrying Amount	80	80
Accumulated Amortization	$80	$80

Goodwill_and_Purchased_Intangi2

Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets, Net - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 29, 2013
Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Total amortization expense of finite-lived intangibles	$936,000	$876,000	$543,000
IPR&D
Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible asset				4,000,000
Equipment
Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible assets	3,500,000
Intangible assets, expected useful life				7 years
Photonics
Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$429,000

Estimated_Future_Amortization_

Estimated Future Amortization Expense Related to Finite-Lived Purchased Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite Lived Intangible Assets And Liabilities Future Amortization Expense [Line Items]
2015	$853
2016	853
2017	756
2018	615
2019	615
Thereafter	274
Finite Lived, Net Carrying Amount	$3,966	$4,902

Contingent_Consideration_Addit

Contingent Consideration - Additional Information (Detail) (Solar Implant Technologies, USD $)	Nov. 19, 2010
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Milestone
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Maximum amount of cash potentially earned in contingent compensation arrangements	$7
Revenue Earnout
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Maximum amount of cash potentially earned in contingent compensation arrangements	$9

Quantitative_Range_of_Signific

Quantitative Range of Significant Unobservable Inputs Used in Calculation of Fair Value of Continent Consideration Liability (Detail) (Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3, Revenue Earnout, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Valuation technique	Discounted cash flow
Fair Value	$1,134
Weighted Average
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Weighted average cost of capital	15.60%
Probability weighting of achieving revenue forecasts	36.50%
Minimum
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Probability weighting of achieving revenue forecasts	20.00%
Maximum
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Probability weighting of achieving revenue forecasts	55.00%

Reconciliation_of_Change_in_Fa

Reconciliation of Change in Fair Value Measurement of Contingent Consideration Liability (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$1,384	$5,151	$8,715
Changes in fair value	-250	-3,727	-219
Cash payments made		-40	-3,345
Ending balance	$1,134	$1,384	$5,151

Divestitures_Additional_Inform

Divestitures - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Mar. 29, 2013
Divestitures [Line Items]
Earn-out payment received	$75,000
DeltaNu
Divestitures [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of assets		500,000
Percentage of Earn-out receivable		5.00%
Earn-out period		5 years
Maximum earn-out payments during payment period		1,000,000
DeltaNu | Maximum
Divestitures [Line Items]
Maximum consideration receivable from assets sold		1,500,000
DeltaNu | Minimum
Divestitures [Line Items]
Annual minimum earn-out payment receivable		$100,000

Components_of_Gain_Loss_Detail

Components of Gain (Loss) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 29, 2013	Jan. 06, 2012
Liabilities divested:
Gain (Loss) on sale	($208)	$2,207
DeltaNu
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash proceeds			500
Assets sold:
Accounts receivable			147
Inventories			320
Other current assets			27
Property, plant and equipment			159
Trade name			90
Total assets sold			743
Liabilities divested:
Accounts payable			59
Other accrued expenses			6
Total liabilities divested			65
Transaction and other costs			30
Gain (Loss) on sale			-208
Mainframe Technology
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash proceeds				3,000
Assets sold:
Inventories				589
Property, plant and equipment				178
Liabilities divested:
Transaction and other costs				26
Gain (Loss) on sale				$2,207

Cash_Cash_Equivalents_and_Shor

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments and Long-Term Investments (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$68,623	$81,380
Unrealized Holdings Gains	19	39
Unrealized Holdings Losses	20	5
Fair Value	68,622	81,414
Cash
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	4,948	5,819
Fair Value	4,948	5,819
Money market funds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	16,534	14,302
Fair Value	16,534	14,302
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	21,482	20,121
Fair Value	21,482	20,121
Short-term Investments
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	29,590	48,953
Unrealized Holdings Gains	15	25
Unrealized Holdings Losses	7	3
Fair Value	29,598	48,975
Short-term Investments | Commercial Paper
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	2,995	1,998
Unrealized Holdings Gains	2	1
Fair Value	2,997	1,999
Short-term Investments | Corporate bonds and medium-term notes
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	21,203	27,181
Unrealized Holdings Gains	2	13
Unrealized Holdings Losses	6	3
Fair Value	21,199	27,191
Short-term Investments | Municipal bonds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	5,392	6,108
Unrealized Holdings Gains	11	4
Unrealized Holdings Losses	1
Fair Value	5,402	6,112
Short-term Investments | U.S. treasury and agency securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		13,506
Unrealized Holdings Gains		7
Fair Value		13,513
Short-term Investments | VRDNs
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost		160
Fair Value		160
Other Long-term Investments
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	17,551	12,306
Unrealized Holdings Gains	4	14
Unrealized Holdings Losses	13	2
Fair Value	17,542	12,318
Other Long-term Investments | Corporate bonds and medium-term notes
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	6,266	8,811
Unrealized Holdings Gains	1	12
Unrealized Holdings Losses	4
Fair Value	6,263	8,823
Other Long-term Investments | Municipal bonds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	2,290	3,495
Unrealized Holdings Gains		2
Unrealized Holdings Losses	8	2
Fair Value	2,282	3,495
Other Long-term Investments | U.S. treasury and agency securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	8,995
Unrealized Holdings Gains	3
Unrealized Holdings Losses	1
Fair Value	$8,997

Contractual_Maturities_of_Avai

Contractual Maturities of Available-For-Sale Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost, Due in one year or less	$45,121
Amortized Cost, Due after one through two years	18,554
Amortized Cost	63,675
Fair Value
Fair Value, Due in one year or less	45,129
Fair Value, Due after one through two years	18,545
Fair Value	$63,674

Fair_Market_Value_of_Investmen

Fair Market Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses Not Deemed to be Other-Than Temporarily Impaired (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	$21,149
Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	20
Unrealized Loss Position, Greater than 12 Months, Fair Value	0
Unrealized Loss Position, Greater than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	0
Corporate bonds and medium-term notes
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	15,869
Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	10
Unrealized Loss Position, Greater than 12 Months, Fair Value	0
Unrealized Loss Position, Greater than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	0
Municipal bonds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	3,281
Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	9
Unrealized Loss Position, Greater than 12 Months, Fair Value	0
Unrealized Loss Position, Greater than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	0
U.S. treasury and agency securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	1,999
Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	1
Unrealized Loss Position, Greater than 12 Months, Fair Value	0
Unrealized Loss Position, Greater than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Losses	$0

Fair_Value_Hierarchy_of_Availa

Fair Value Hierarchy of Available-for-Sale Securities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total recurring fair value measurements	$63,674
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total recurring fair value measurements	63,674
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total recurring fair value measurements	16,534
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | U.S. treasury and agency securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total recurring fair value measurements	8,997
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Commercial Paper
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total recurring fair value measurements	2,997
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Corporate bonds and medium-term notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total recurring fair value measurements	27,462
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Municipal bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total recurring fair value measurements	7,684
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total recurring fair value measurements	23,531
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total recurring fair value measurements	16,534
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | U.S. treasury and agency securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total recurring fair value measurements	6,997
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total recurring fair value measurements	40,143
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | U.S. treasury and agency securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total recurring fair value measurements	2,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Commercial Paper
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total recurring fair value measurements	2,997
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Corporate bonds and medium-term notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total recurring fair value measurements	27,462
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Municipal bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total recurring fair value measurements	$7,684

Changes_in_Level_Three_Instrum

Changes in Level Three Instruments Consisting of Auction Rate Securities Classified As Available-for-Sale Securities and Measured on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring, Auction rate securities ("ARS"), Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Auction rate securities ("ARS") | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Instruments Classified in Shareholders' Equity Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Opening balance	$4,490
Total gains (losses) for the period Included in earnings	-381
Included in other comprehensive income	410
Proceeds from sales	-1,748
Proceeds from tender offers	-2,771
Closing balance	$0

Financial_Instruments_Addition

Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Maturity Period One
Derivative [Line Items]
Maturity of foreign currency derivative	30 days
Maturity Period Two
Derivative [Line Items]
Maturity of foreign currency derivative	60 days
Maturity Period Three
Derivative [Line Items]
Maturity of foreign currency derivative	210 days
Maturity Period Four
Derivative [Line Items]
Maturity of foreign currency derivative	240 days

Summary_of_Outstanding_Derivat

Summary of Outstanding Derivative Instruments on Gross Basis as Recorded in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) (Undesignated Hedges, USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional Amounts	$2,647		$894
Derivative Assets	10	[1]
Derivative Liabilities	4	[2]
Foreign currency forward contracts
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional Amounts	2,647		894
Derivative Assets	10	[1]
Derivative Liabilities	$4	[2]
[1]	Prepaid expenses and other current assets
[2]	Other accrued liabilities

Equity_Additional_Information_

Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Nov. 21, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase authorized amount		$30
Stock repurchase remains available for future stock repurchase	$20

Stock_Repurchases_Detail

Stock Repurchases (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Shares of common stock repurchased	1,185	241
Cost of stock repurchased	$8,302	$1,688
Average price paid per share	$6.97	$6.97

Provision_for_Benefit_from_Inc

Provision for (Benefit from) Income Tax (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Federal:
Current	($324)	($3,925)	$3
Deferred		3,387	17,160
Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Total	-324	-538	17,163
State:
Current	5	12	-13
Deferred	0	0	0
State and Local Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Total	5	12	-13
Foreign:
Current	81	-38	-150
Deferred	8,666	-1,158	-3,760
Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Total	8,747	-1,196	-3,910
Total	$8,428	($1,722)	$13,240

Loss_Before_Income_Taxes_Benef

Loss Before Income Taxes (Benefit) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Components of Income Before Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Line Items]
U.S	($13,191)	($11,478)	($32,128)
Foreign	-5,826	-5,940	-9,951
Income (loss) before income taxes	($19,017)	($17,418)	($42,079)
Effective tax rate	-44.30%	9.90%	-31.50%

Significant_Components_of_Defe

Significant Components of Deferred Tax Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:
Vacation, warranty and other accruals	$997	$1,269
Depreciation and amortization	538	1,554
Intangible amortization	2,767	3,235
Inventory valuation	3,117	1,706
Deferred income	1,621	43
Equity-based compensation	5,920	6,242
Net operating loss, research and other tax credit carryforwards	47,044	43,470
Other	358	49
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross, Total	62,362	57,568
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	-60,612	-46,126
Total deferred tax assets	1,750	11,442
Deferred tax liabilities:
Purchased technology	-1,195	-1,488
Unbilled revenue	-555	-1,004
Other		-284
Total deferred tax liabilities	-1,750	-2,776
Net deferred tax assets		8,666
As reported on the balance sheet:
Current deferred tax assets		103
Non-current deferred tax assets	5	9,502
Current deferred tax liability	-5	-939
Net deferred tax assets		$8,666

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax benefit from valuation allowance	$9,394,000		$23,437,000
Unrecognized tax benefits	6,578,000	6,482,000	6,000,000	5,022,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	250,000
Recognized net tax expense(benefit) for interest	110,000	13,000
Accrued interest related to unrealized tax benefits	7,000
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	51,600,000
Net operating loss carryforwards, expiration year	2028
Tax credit carryforwards	11,300,000
Tax credit carryforwards, expiration year	2019
SINGAPORE
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax benefit from valuation allowance	9,400,000
United States
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax benefit from valuation allowance	4,700,000	7,200,000	23,400,000
Foreign Tax Authority
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	56,100,000
Undistributed earnings	11,800,000
Tax holiday ending years	2015
Reduced income tax benefit			1,600,000
Income tax benefit on net income loss per share			$0.07
State and Local Jurisdiction
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	61,300,000
Net operating loss carryforwards, expiration year	2015
Tax credit carryforwards	$12,000,000

Difference_Between_Tax_Provisi

Difference Between Tax Provision (Benefit) at Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate and Tax Provision (Benefit) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax (benefit) at the federal statutory rate	($6,656)	($6,096)	($14,728)
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	5	12	-15
Effect of foreign operations taxed at various rates	1,662	983	-428
Nondeductible goodwill impairment			3,670
Research tax credits	-569	-2,284
Effect of tax rate changes, permanent differences and adjustments of prior deferrals	153	-1,062	367
Unrecognized tax benefits	-294	-476	1,044
Total	8,428	-1,722	13,240
United States
Reconciliation Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Change in valuation allowance	4,733	7,201	23,330
Foreign Tax Authority
Reconciliation Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Change in valuation allowance	$9,394

Aggregate_Changes_in_Balance_o

Aggregate Changes in Balance of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$6,482	$6,000	$5,022
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	57	597	978
Additions for tax positions of prior years	250	98
Settlements	0	0	0
Lapse of statute of limitations	-211	-213
Ending balance	$6,578	$6,482	$6,000

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Additio

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Age
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined contribution retirement plan, employee eligibility age	18
Cash contributions	$0	$422,000	$501,000
Defined bonus plan, charges to expenses	22,000	1,700,000	210,000
Equity-based compensation	3,000,000	2,494,000	3,820,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Award, vesting period	4 years
Equity-based compensation	1,464,000	419,000	201,000
Annual Incentive Plan | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Award, vesting period	1 year
Equity-based compensation	$554,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Deferred rent, included in other long-term liabilities	$861,000
Tenant improvement allowance	1,700,000
Standby letter of credit for lease	1,000,000
Restricted cash	1,780,000
Gross rental expense	3,800,000	2,900,000	3,000,000
Letters of credit and bank guarantees outstanding, amount	1,780,000
Minimum product warranty range	12 months
Maximum product warranty range	24 months
Product warranty offer on sale	3 months
Pledged as Collateral for Standby Letter of Credit
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$1,000,000
Maximum
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Operating lease expiration date	2024-03

Future_Minimum_Lease_Payments_

Future Minimum Lease Payments (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
2015	$3,206
2016	3,075
2017	2,640
2018	2,630
2019	2,709
Thereafter	12,440
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Total	$26,700

Warranty_Provision_Account_Det

Warranty Provision Account (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
Accrued Warranty [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$1,647	$2,349
Expenditures incurred under warranties	-834	-1,033
Accruals for product warranties	931	1,091
Adjustments to previously existing warranty accruals	-558	-760
Ending balance	$1,186	$1,647

Segment_and_Geographic_Informa2

Segment and Geographic Information - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
	Segment
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments	2
Allocation of corporate expenses to the segments	3.00%

Information_for_Each_Reportabl

Information for Each Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment net revenues	$19,062	$14,757	$14,715	$17,015	$20,552	$19,115	$16,983	$12,982	$65,550	$69,632	$83,424
Unallocated costs									-6,278	-5,722	-6,181
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets											-18,419
Gain (loss) on divestitures										-208	2,207
Operating loss									-19,354	-17,823	-42,533
Interest income									179	279	806
Other income and expense, net									158	126	-352
Loss before income taxes									-19,017	-17,418	-42,079
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating loss									-13,076	-11,893	-20,140
Equipment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment net revenues									25,290	39,135	52,538
Equipment | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating loss									-22,008	-12,951	-19,934
Photonics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total segment net revenues									40,260	30,497	30,886
Photonics | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating loss									$8,932	$1,058	($206)

Depreciation_and_Amortization_

Depreciation and Amortization (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$4,705	$4,518	$4,479
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	4,213	4,046	3,809
Operating Segments | Equipment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	2,379	2,146	2,003
Operating Segments | Photonics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	1,834	1,900	1,806
Unallocated Amount to Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$492	$472	$670

Capital_Additions_Detail

Capital Additions (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital additions	$3,705	$3,323	$3,280
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital additions	3,433	2,751	2,795
Operating Segments | Equipment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital additions	2,230	1,857	1,260
Operating Segments | Photonics
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital additions	1,203	894	1,535
Unallocated Amount to Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital additions	$272	$572	$485

Assets_for_Each_Reportable_Seg

Assets for Each Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Cash and investments	$68,622,000	$81,414,000
Restricted cash	1,780,000
Deferred income taxes	5,000	9,605,000
Other current assets	989,000	982,000
Common property, plant and equipment	1,083,000	1,302,000
Other assets		425,000
Consolidated total assets	120,275,000	148,276,000
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated total assets	47,796,000	54,548,000
Operating Segments | Equipment
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated total assets	30,670,000	33,428,000
Operating Segments | Photonics
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Consolidated total assets	$17,126,000	$21,120,000

Revenue_from_Unaffiliated_Cust

Revenue from Unaffiliated Customers by Geographic Region/Country (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Jan. 03, 2015

Sep. 27, 2014

Jun. 28, 2014

Mar. 29, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Jun. 29, 2013

Mar. 30, 2013

Jan. 03, 2015

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Total net revenues

$19,062

$14,757

$14,715

$17,015

$20,552

$19,115

$16,983

$12,982

$65,550

$69,632

$83,424

United States

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Total net revenues

51,584

32,534

30,845

Asia

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Total net revenues

9,931

[1]

31,907

[1]

47,712

[1]

Europe

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Total net revenues

4,035

5,191

3,795

Rest of World

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Total net revenues

$1,072

[1]

Revenues are attributable to the geographic area in which Intevac's customers are located. Net trade revenues in Asia include shipments to Singapore, China, Japan and Malaysia.

Net_Property_Plant_and_Equipme

Net Property, Plant and Equipment by Geographic Region (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net property, plant & equipment	$12,826	$12,945
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net property, plant & equipment	11,534	11,240
Asia
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net property, plant & equipment	$1,292	$1,705

Restructuring_Charges_Addition

Restructuring Charges - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 01, 2013	Jun. 28, 2014	Jan. 03, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Percentage of reduction of global workforce	18.00%	6.00%
Reduction in salary, wages and other employee-related expenses due to implementation of plan			$2.10

Changes_in_Restructuring_Reser

Changes in Restructuring Reserves (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance at the beginning of the year	$0	$0
Provision for restructuring charges	288	742
Cash payments made	-288	-742
Balance at the end of the year	$0	$0

Selected_Quarterly_Consolidate2

Selected Quarterly Consolidated Financial Data (Unaudited) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Results Of Operations [Line Items]
Net sales	$19,062	$14,757	$14,715	$17,015	$20,552	$19,115	$16,983	$12,982	$65,550	$69,632	$83,424
Gross profit	2,596	4,815	5,211	4,810	7,737	6,895	3,829	3,514	17,433	21,973	34,158
Net income (loss)	($14,358)	($3,559)	($5,007)	($4,521)	$1,725	($2,745)	($6,412)	($8,264)	($27,445)	($15,696)	($55,319)
Basic and diluted loss per share	($0.62)	($0.15)	($0.21)	($0.19)	$0.07	($0.11)	($0.27)	($0.35)	($1.16)	($0.66)	($2.37)