AXT (AXTI) 10-Q 8 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 02, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'AXT INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001051627	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	32,598,197
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$27,723	$30,634
Short-term investments	8,412	10,270	[1]
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $928 and $245 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	16,266	17,912	[1]
Inventories	38,376	40,352	[1]
Related party notes receivable - current	2,517	2,036	[1]
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,412	5,268	[1]
Total current assets	100,706	106,472	[1]
Long-term investments	12,287	9,191	[1]
Property, plant and equipment, net	37,450	37,235	[1]
Related party notes receivable - long-term	0	416	[1]
Other assets	14,830	14,275	[1]
Total assets	165,273	167,589	[1]
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	8,596	5,894	[1]
Accrued liabilities	9,208	7,202
Total current liabilities	17,804	13,096	[1]
Long-term portion of royalty payments	2,725	3,325	[1]
Other long-term liabilities	155	254	[1]
Total liabilities	20,684	16,675	[1]
Commitments and contingencies	'	'	[1]
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 2,000 shares authorized; 883 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively (Liquidation preference of $6.1 million and $5.9 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)	3,532	3,532	[1]
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share; 70,000 shares authorized; 32,612 and 32,471 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	32	32	[1]
Additional paid-in capital	194,058	193,063	[1]
Accumulated deficit	-65,777	-59,047	[1]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	6,988	6,033	[1]
Total AXT, Inc. stockholders' equity	138,833	143,613	[1]
Noncontrolling interests	5,756	7,301	[1]
Total stockholders' equity	144,589	150,914	[1]
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$165,273	$167,589	[1]
[1]	The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date.

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Accounts receivable, allowances for doubtful accounts	$928,000	$245,000
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	2,000	2,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	883	883
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	883	883
Preferred stock, liquidation preference	$6,100,000	$5,900,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	70,000	70,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	32,612	32,471
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	32,612	32,471

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenue	$20,521	$20,808	$66,732	$69,447
Cost of revenue	18,075	15,342	57,717	48,279
Gross profit	2,446	5,466	9,015	21,168
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Selling, general, and administrative	4,303	3,950	12,435	11,709
Research and development	766	844	2,627	2,593
Total operating expenses	5,069	4,794	15,062	14,302
Income (loss) from operations	-2,623	672	-6,047	6,866
Interest income, net	55	52	136	202
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures	346	348	1,099	786
Other income (expense), net	-47	144	-491	-472
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	-2,269	1,216	-5,303	7,382
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	-204	-228	322	559
Net income (loss)	-2,065	1,444	-5,625	6,823
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-230	-512	-1,105	-2,957
Net income (loss) attributable to AXT, Inc.	($2,295)	$932	($6,730)	$3,866
Net income (loss) attributable to AXT, Inc. per common share:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	($0.07)	$0.03	($0.21)	$0.12
Diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.07)	$0.03	($0.21)	$0.11
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	32,366	32,183	32,407	32,118
Diluted (in shares)	32,366	32,769	32,407	32,911

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited)	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	($2,065)	$1,444	($5,625)	$6,823
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Change in foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax	307	-192	1,177	119
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments, net of tax	73	9	26	115
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	380	-183	1,203	234
Comprehensive income (loss)	-1,685	1,261	-4,422	7,057
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	-272	-486	-1,353	-3,003
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to AXT, Inc.	($1,957)	$775	($5,775)	$4,054

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	($5,625,000)	$6,823,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	4,075,000	2,832,000
Amortization of marketable securities premium	394,000	220,000
Stock-based compensation	1,004,000	873,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	627,000	0
Gain on sale of cost method investment	-811,000	0
(Gain) Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment	-7,000	176,000
Changes in assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	1,083,000	1,076,000
Inventories	2,147,000	6,071,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-1,730,000	1,923,000
Other assets	-77,000	-97,000
Accounts payable	2,647,000	1,287,000
Accrued liabilities	774,000	-795,000
Other long-term liabilities	-494,000	-824,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	4,007,000	19,565,000
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-3,919,000	-4,951,000
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment	9,000	0
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	-14,091,000	-8,225,000
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities	12,486,000	6,660,000
Net cash used in investing activities	-5,515,000	-6,516,000
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from common stock options exercised	278,000	276,000
Repurchases of the Company's common stock	-287,000	0
Dividends paid by joint ventures	-1,730,000	-4,086,000
Net cash used in financing activities	-1,739,000	-3,810,000
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	336,000	108,000
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-2,911,000	9,347,000
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	30,634,000	26,156,000
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$27,723,000	$35,503,000

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Note 1. Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of AXT, Inc. (“AXT,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to AXT, Inc. and all of its consolidated subsidiaries) are unaudited, and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. In the opinion of our management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of AXT and our consolidated subsidiaries for all periods presented.
	Our management has made certain estimates, judgments and assumptions to prepare these condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP. We believe that the estimates, judgments, and assumptions upon which it relies are reasonable based on information available at the time that these estimates, judgments, and assumptions are made. These estimates, judgments, and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
	The results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in the future or for the full fiscal year. It is recommended that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 15, 2013 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013 filed with the SEC on May 10, 2013 and August 9, 2013, respectively.
	The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AXT, our majority-owned subsidiaries and certain joint ventures which we control. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Investments in business entities in which we do not have control, but have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies (generally 20-50% ownership), are accounted for by the equity method. For majority-owned subsidiaries, we reflect the noncontrolling interests for the portion we do not own on our condensed consolidated balance sheets in stockholders’ equity and in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
	Certain prior period amounts in our condensed consolidated statements of operations have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. We reclassified $348,000 and $786,000 from “other income (expense), net” to “equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures” for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, due to significance of the amounts.

Investments_in_Marketable_Secu

Investments in Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments in Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Investments in Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements	'
	Note 2. Investments in Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements
	Our cash, cash equivalents and investments are classified as follows (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13											31-Dec-12
				Gross			Gross								Gross			Gross
		Amortized		Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair			Amortized		Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair
		Cost		Gains			(Losses)			Value			Cost		Gains			(Losses)			Value
	Classified as:
	Cash	$	24,114	$	—		$	—		$	24,114		$	26,250	$	—		$	—		$	26,250
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market fund		3,609		—			—			3,609			4,384		—			—			4,384
	Total cash and cash equivalents		27,723		—			—			27,723			30,634		—			—			30,634
	Investments (Available-for-sale):
	Certificates of deposit		6,320		5			(9	)		6,316			6,638		9			(2	)		6,645
	Corporate bonds		14,402		6			(25	)		14,383			12,872		7			(63	)		12,816
	Total investments		20,722		11			(34	)		20,699			19,510		16			(65	)		19,461
	Total cash, cash equivalents and investments	$	48,445	$	11		$	(34	)	$	48,422		$	50,144	$	16		$	(65	)	$	50,095
	Contractual maturities on investments:
	Due within 1 year	$	8,405							$	8,412		$	10,288							$	10,270
	Due after 1 through 5 years		12,317								12,287			9,222								9,191
		$	20,722							$	20,699		$	19,510							$	19,461
	We manage our investments as a single portfolio of highly marketable securities that is intended to be available to meet our current cash requirements. We have no investments in auction rate securities. There were no sales of available-for-sales securities and no realized gains and losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	The gross unrealized losses related to our portfolio of available-for-sale securities were primarily due to changes in interest rates and credit conditions of the underlying securities. We have determined that the gross unrealized losses on our available-for-sale securities as of September 30, 2013 are temporary in nature. We periodically review our investment portfolio to identify and evaluate investments that have indications of possible impairment. Factors considered in determining whether a loss is temporary include the magnitude of the decline in market value, the length of time the market value has been below cost (or adjusted cost), credit quality and our ability and intent to hold the securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.
	The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized losses related to available-for-sale securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
		In Loss Position					In Loss Position						Total In
		< 12 months					> 12 months						Loss Position
				Gross						Gross					Gross
		Fair		Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
		Value		(Losses)			Value			(Losses)			Value		(Losses)
	Investments:
	Certificates of deposit	$	3,671	$	(9	)	$	—		$	—		$	3,671	$	(9	)
	Corporate bonds		11,738		(25	)		—			—			11,738		(25	)
	Total in loss position	$	15,409	$	(34	)	$	—		$	—		$	15,409	$	(34	)
	The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized losses related to available-for-sale securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		In Loss Position					In Loss Position						Total In
		< 12 Months					> 12 Months						Loss Position
		Fair		Gross			Fair			Gross			Fair		Gross
		Value		Unrealized			Value			Unrealized			Value		Unrealized
				(Losses)						(Losses)					(Losses)
	Investments:
	Certificates of deposit	$	1,877	$	(1	)	$	199		$	(1	)	$	2,076	$	(2	)
	Corporate bonds		6,446		(40	)		1,502			(23	)		7,948		(63	)
	Total in loss position	$	8,323	$	(41	)	$	1,701		$	(24	)	$	10,024	$	(65	)
	Minority Investments
	We have made strategic investments in private companies located in China in order to gain access at a competitive cost to raw materials that are critical to our substrate business (see Note 6). The investment balances for these companies, including minority investments in privately-held companies made indirectly through our consolidated joint ventures, are accounted for under the equity method and are included in “other assets” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and totaled $10.6 million and $9.4 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
	We also maintain minority investments in two other companies which are accounted for under the cost method as we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over their operations. Our investments in these two companies are reviewed for other than temporary declines in value on a quarterly basis. We monitor our investments for impairment and record reductions in carrying value when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our investments in these two unconsolidated companies had a carrying value of $325,000 and $392,000, respectively, and were also included in “other assets” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	Fair Value Measurements
	ASC topic 820, Fair value measurement (“ASC 820”) establishes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value. Level 1 instrument valuations are obtained from real-time quotes for transactions in active exchange markets involving identical assets. Level 2 instrument valuations are obtained from readily-available pricing sources for comparable instruments. Level 3 instrument valuations are obtained from unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require us to develop our own assumptions. As of September 30, 2013, we did not have any Level 3 assets or liabilities. On a recurring basis, we measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value, primarily consisting of our short-term and long-term investments.
	The type of instrument valued based on quoted market prices in active markets include our money market funds, which are generally classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. We classify all of our available-for-sale securities including certificates of deposit and corporate bonds as having Level 2 inputs. The valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of these financial instruments having Level 2 inputs were derived from quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. There were no changes in valuation techniques or related inputs in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. There have been no transfers between fair value measurement levels during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
		Balance as of		Quoted Prices in			Significant Other
		30-Sep-13		Active Markets of			Observable
				Identical Assets			Inputs
				(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents and investments:
	Money market fund	$	3,609	$	3,609		$	—
	Certificates of deposit		6,316		—			6,316
	Corporate bonds		14,383		—			14,383
	Total	$	24,308	$	3,609		$	20,699
	Liabilities	$	—	$	—		$	—
	The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		Balance as of		Quoted Prices in			Significant Other
		31-Dec-12		Active Markets of			Observable
		Identical Assets		Inputs
		(Level 1)		(Level 2)
Assets:
Cash equivalents and investments:
Money market fund	$	4,384	$	4,384		$	—
Certificates of deposit		6,645		—			6,645
Corporate bonds		12,816		—			12,816
Total	$	23,845	$	4,384		$	19,461
Liabilities	$	—	$	—		$	—
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
Certain assets that are subject to nonrecurring fair value measurements are not included in the table above. These assets include investments in companies accounted for by equity and cost methods (See Note 6). We did not record any other-than-temporary impairment charges for any of these investments during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventories [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Note 3. Inventories
	The components of inventories are summarized below (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Raw materials	$	21,009	$	20,003
	Work in process		13,265		15,608
	Finished goods		4,102		4,741
		$	38,376	$	40,352
	As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, carrying values of inventories were net of inventory reserves of $10.5 million and $10.1 million, respectively, for excess and obsolete inventory.

Accrued_Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Accrued Liabilities	'
	Note 4. Accrued Liabilities
	The components of accrued liabilities are summarized below (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Accrued compensation and related charges	$	1,817	$	2,066
	Dividends payable by consolidated joint ventures		1,175		—
	Accrued product warranty		895		588
	Current portion of royalty payments		800		800
	Accrued professional services		654		609
	Accrued income taxes		156		640
	Other accrued liabilities		3,711		2,499
		$	9,208	$	7,202

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Note 5. Related Party Transactions
	In August 2011, our consolidated joint venture, Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd (JiYa), entered into a non-interest bearing note agreement for $1.7 million (Rmb 10,485,200) with one of its equity investment entities. Under the loan agreement, JiYa loaned $801,000 (Rmb 4,959,000) to its equity investment entity in August 2011 and the remaining amount of $893,000 (Rmb 5,526,200) was loaned during the three months ended March 31, 2012. The original term of the loan was two years and ten months and the loan was payable to JiYa in three installments with the first installment of $423,000 (Rmb 2,620,000) due in December 2012, the second installment of $847,000 (Rmb 5,240,000) due in December 2013, and the third installment of $424,000 (Rmb 2,625,200) due in May 2014. In December, 2012, the parties signed an addendum to the note agreement to delay the first repayment of $423,000 (Rmb 2,620,000) to June 2013. In June, 2013 the parties signed another addendum to the note agreement to delay this first repayment of $423,000 (Rmb 2,620,000) to June 2014 as the last installment.  As of September 30, 2013, we included $1.7 million (Rmb 10.5 million) in “Related party notes receivable – short term” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	In August 2011, our consolidated joint venture, Nanjing Jin Mei Gallium Co., Ltd. (Jin Mei) loaned $813,000 (Rmb 5,000,000) to its equity investment entity for construction purposes. As of September 30, 2013, this balance was included in “related party notes receivable – short term” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. During the three months ended December 31, 2012, the parties signed a note agreement retroactively to set forth the terms for the loan. The loan bears interest at 6.7% per annum, subject to adjustment to market rate, and the principal is due on December 31, 2013.
	Beginning in 2012, JiYa is contractually obligated under an agency sales agreement to sell raw material on behalf of one of its equity investment entities. JiYa bills to the customers and remits the receipts, net of its portions of sales commission, to this equity investment entity. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, JiYa has recorded $0 and $10,000 of income from agency sales, respectively, which was included in “other income (expense), net” in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, $20,000 and $15,000 of income from agency sales was recorded in “other income (expense), net” respectively, in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, amounts payable of $521,000 and $257,000, respectively, to this equity investment entity for delivery in transit was included in “accrued liabilities” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	JiYa also purchases raw materials from one of its equity investment entities for production in the ordinary course of business. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, amounts payable of $827,000 and $1.1 million, respectively, were included in “accounts payable” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	Beginning in 2012, Jin Mei is contractually obligated under an agency sales agreement to sell raw material on behalf of its equity investment entity. Jin Mei bills to the customers and remits the receipts, net of its portions of sales commission, to this equity investment entity.   For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, Jin Mei has recorded $29,000 and $18,000 of income from agency sales, respectively, which were included in “other income (expense), net” in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, $123,000 and $113,000 of income from agency sales was recorded in “other expense, net” respectively, in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.
	Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Beijing Tongmei Xtal Technology Co, Ltd., has paid $120,000 (Rmb 740,924) on behalf of Donghai County Dongfang High Purity Electronic Materials Co., Ltd. its equity investment entity, to purchase materials. As of September 30, 2013, this balance was included in "prepaid expenses and other current assets" in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	Our Related Party Transactions Policy seeks to prohibit all conflicts of interest in transactions between related parties and us, unless they have been approved by our Board of Directors. This policy applies to all of our employees and directors, our subsidiaries and our joint ventures. Our executive officers retain board seats on the Board of Directors of the companies in which we have invested in our China joint ventures. See Note 6 for further details.

Investments_in_Companies

Investments in Companies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments in Companies [Abstract]	'
Investments in Companies	'
	Note 6. Investments in Companies
	We have made strategic investments in private companies located in China in order to gain access to raw materials that are critical to our substrate business at a competitive cost.
	The investments are summarized below (in thousands):
			Investment Balance as of
			September 30,		December 31,		Accounting		Ownership
	Company		2013		2012		Method		Percentage
	Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd		$	3,331	$	3,331	Consolidated			46	%
	Nanjing Jin Mei Gallium Co., Ltd			592		592	Consolidated			83	%
	Beijing BoYu Semiconductor Vessel Craftwork Technology Co., Ltd			410		410	Consolidated			70	%
			$	4,333	$	4,333
	Donghai County Dongfang High Purity Electronic Materials Co., Ltd.		$	1,950	$	2,038	Equity			46	%
	Xilingol Tongli Germanium Co. Ltd			4,618		4,246	Equity			25	%
	Emeishan Jia Mei High Purity Metals Co., Ltd			942		1,042	Equity			25	%
			$	7,510	$	7,326
	Our ownership of Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd. (JiYa) is 46%. We continue to consolidate JiYa as we have significant influence in management and have majority control of the board. Our Chief Executive Officer is chairman of the JiYa board, while our president of China operations and our vice president of China administration and our vice president of wafer production are also members of the board.
	Our ownership of Nanjing Jin Mei Gallium Co., Ltd. (Jin Mei) is 83%. We continue to consolidate Jin Mei as we have significant influence in management and have majority control of the board. Our Chief Executive Officer is chairman of the Jin Mei board, while our president of China operations and our vice president of China administration are also members of the board.
	Our ownership of Beijing BoYu Semiconductor Vessel Craftwork Technology Co., Ltd (BoYu) is 70%. We continue to consolidate BoYu as we have a significant influence in management and have majority control of the board. Our Chief Executive Officer is chairman of the BoYu board, while our president of China operations and our vice president of China administration are also members of the board.
	Although we have representation on the boards of directors of each of these companies, the daily operations of each of these companies are managed by local management and not by us. Decisions concerning their respective short term strategy and operations, any capacity expansion and annual capital expenditures, and decisions concerning sales of finished product, are made by local management with some input from us.
	During the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the three consolidated joint ventures generated $565,000 and $1.8 million of income, respectively, of which $230,000 and $512,000, respectively, were allocated to minority interests, resulting in $335,000 and $1.2 million of income, respectively, included in our net income (loss). During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the three consolidated joint ventures generated $3.3 million and $7.0 million of income, respectively, of which $1.1 million and $3.0 million, respectively, was allocated to minority interests, resulting in $2.2 million and $4.0 million of income, respectively, included in our net income (loss).
	For the three minority investment entities that are not consolidated, the investment balances are included in “other assets” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets and totaled $7.5 million and $7.3 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. We own 46% of the ownership interests in one of these companies and 25% in each of the other two companies. These three companies are not considered variable interest entities because:
		·	all three companies have sustainable businesses of their own;
		·	our voting power is proportionate to our ownership interests;
		·	we only recognize our respective share of the losses and/or residual returns generated by the companies if they occur; and
		·	we do not have controlling financial interest in, do not maintain operational or management control of, do not control the board of directors of, and are not required to provide additional investment or financial support to, any of these companies.
	We also maintain minority investments in privately-held companies made indirectly through our consolidated joint ventures.  These minority investments are accounted for under the equity method in the books of our consolidated joint ventures. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our consolidated joint ventures included these minority investments in “other assets” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets with a carrying value of $3.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively.
	During the three months ended September 30, 2013, our consolidated joint venture JiYa invested $460,000 (Rmb 2.8 million) for a 20% equity investment in Shanxi Jia Hua Galaxy Electronic Materials Co., Ltd, a gallium producer.
	All of the minority investment entities that are not consolidated and accounted for under the equity method had the following summarized income information (in thousands) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
			Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
			September 30,					September 30,
			2013		2012			2013				2012
	Net revenue		$	11,024	$	9,394		$	29,938			$	23,676
	Gross profit		$	3,628	$	3,377		$	10,516			$	8,137
	Operating income		$	2,393	$	2,018		$	6,566			$	4,542
	Net income		$	1,631	$	1,897		$	4,960			$	3,915
	Our gross entity earnings from all the minority investment entities that are not consolidated and accounted for under the equity method were $346,000 and $348,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $1.1 million and $786,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	We also maintain minority investments directly in two other companies accounted for under the cost method and we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over their operations. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our investments in these two unconsolidated companies had a carrying value of $325,000 and $392,000, respectively, and were included in “other assets” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	Note 7. Stockholders’ Equity
	Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
	(in thousands)
		Preferred		Common		Additional			Accumulated			Other		AXT, Inc.			Noncontrolling			Total
		Stock		Stock		Paid In Capital			Deficit			Comprehensive		Stockholders’			Interests			Stockholders’
												Income/(loss)		Equity						Equity
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	3,532	$	32	$	193,063		$	(59,047	)	$	6,033	$	143,613		$	7,301		$	150,914
	Common stock options exercised						278								278						278
	Common stock repurchased						(287	)							(287	)					(287	)
	Stock-based compensation						1,004								1,004						1,004
	Net income (loss)									(6,730	)				(6,730	)		1,105			(5,625	)
	Dividends declared by joint ventures																	(2,898	)		(2,898	)
	Change in unrealized (loss) gain on marketable securities												26		26						26
	Currency translation adjustment												929		929			248			1,177
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	3,532	$	32	$	194,058		$	(65,777	)	$	6,988	$	138,833		$	5,756		$	144,589
	There were no reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

Stock_Repurchase_Program

Stock Repurchase Program	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract]	'
Stock Repurchase Program	'
	Note 8. Stock Repurchase Program
	On February 21, 2013, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program, pursuant to which we may repurchase up to $6.0 million of our outstanding common stock through February 27, 2014. These purchases can be made from time to time in the open market and are funded from our existing cash balances and cash generated from operations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we repurchased approximately 103,000 shares at an average price of $2.79 per share for a total purchase price of $287,000 under the stock repurchase program.
	As of September 30, 2013, approximately $5.7 million remained available for future repurchases under this program. See Item 2, Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds in Part II, Other Information, for additional information.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Note 9. Stock-Based Compensation
	We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with the provisions of FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”), which established accounting for stock-based awards exchanged for employee services. Stock-based compensation cost is measured at each grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the employee’s requisite service period of the award. All of our stock compensation is accounted for as an equity instrument.
	The following table summarizes compensation costs related to our stock-based awards (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Cost of revenue	$	6		$	19		$	17	$	56
	Selling, general and administrative		285			245			860		721
	Research and development		43			36			127		96
	Total stock-based compensation		334			300			1,004		873
	Tax effect on stock-based compensation		—			—			—		—
	Net effect on net income (loss)	$	334		$	300		$	1,004	$	873
	As of September 30, 2013, the unamortized compensation costs related to unvested stock options granted to employees under our stock option plan was approximately $1.5 million, net of estimated forfeitures of $30,000. These costs will be amortized on a straight-line basis over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.4 years and will be adjusted for subsequent changes in estimated forfeitures. We elected not to capitalize any stock-based compensation to inventory as of September 30, 2013 due to the immateriality of the amount.
	We estimate the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model. There were 60,000 and 0 stock options granted with weighted average grant date fair values of $1.21 and $0 in the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. There were 60,000 and 104,000 stock options granted with weighted average grant date fair values of $1.21 and $2.84 in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The fair value of our stock options granted to employees for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions:
		Three Months			Nine Months
		Ended			Ended
		30-Sep-13			September 30,
					2013
	Expected term (in years)		4			4
	Volatility		61.86	%		61.86	%
	Expected dividend		0	%		0	%
	Risk-free interest rate		1	%		1	%
	The following table summarizes the stock option transactions during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands, except per share data):
	Stock Options	Shares			Weighted-			Weighted-		Aggregate
					average			average		Intrinsic
					Exercise			Remaining		Value
					Price			Contractual
								Life
								(in years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2013		2,727		$	3.28			6.71	$	1,353
	Granted		60			2.55
	Exercised		(200	)	$	1.4
	Canceled and expired		(48	)	$	4.42
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		2,539		$	3.39			6.44	$	610
	Options vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2013		2,522		$	3.39			6.42	$	610
	Options exercisable as of September 30, 2013		1,682		$	3.22			5.3	$	607
	The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value, based on our closing price of $2.34 on September 30, 2013, which would have been received by the option holder had all option holders exercised their options on that date.
	Restricted stock awards
	A summary of activity related to restricted stock awards for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is presented below:
	Stock Awards	Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant Date Fair Value
	Non-vested as of January 1, 2013		238,723		$	4.27
	Granted		43,636		$	2.75
	Vested		(47,767	)	$	5.13
	Non-vested as of September 30, 2013		234,592		$	3.82
	As of September 30, 2013, the unamortized compensation costs related to unvested restricted stock awards was approximately $687,000, which is to be amortized on a straight-line basis over a weighted average period of approximately 2.4 years.

Net_Income_loss_Per_Share

Net Income (loss) Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Net Income (loss) Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Income (loss) Per Share	'
	Note 10. Net Income (loss) Per Share
	Basic net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. The dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method. Potentially dilutive common shares consist of common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards. Potentially dilutive common shares are excluded in net loss periods, as their effect would be anti-dilutive.
	A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted net income (loss) per share calculations is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Numerator:
	Net income (loss) attributable to AXT, Inc.	$	(2,295	)	$	932		$	(6,730	)	$	3,866
	Less: Preferred stock dividends		(44	)		(44	)		(132	)		(132	)
	Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$	(2,339	)	$	888		$	(6,862	)	$	3,734
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares (basic)		32,366			32,183			32,407			32,118
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Common stock options		—			582			—			754
	Restricted stock awards		—			4			—			39
	Weighted average common shares (dilutive)		32,366			32,769			32,407			32,911
	Net income (loss) attributable to AXT, Inc. per common share:
	Basic	$	(0.07	)	$	0.03		$	(0.21	)	$	0.12
	Diluted	$	(0.07	)	$	0.03		$	(0.21	)	$	0.11
	Options excluded from diluted net income (loss)  per share as the impact is anti-dilutive		2,524			992			2,563			977
	Restricted stock excluded from diluted net income (loss) per share as the impact is anti-dilutive		243			172			242			14
	The 883,000 shares of $0.001 par value Series A preferred stock issued and outstanding as of both September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, valued at $3,532,000 are non-voting and non-convertible preferred stock with a 5.0% cumulative annual dividend rate payable when declared by the board of directors and $4 per share liquidation preference over common stock, and must be paid before any distribution is made to common stockholders. These preferred shares were issued to Lyte Optronics, Inc. stockholders in connection with the completion of our acquisition of Lyte Optronics, Inc. on May 28, 1999.

Segment_Information_and_Foreig

Segment Information and Foreign Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Information and Foreign Operations [Abstract]	'
Segment Information and Foreign Operations	'
	Note 11. Segment Information and Foreign Operations
	Segment Information
	We operate in one segment for the design, development, manufacture and distribution of high-performance compound semiconductor substrates and sale of materials. In accordance with ASC topic 280, Segment Reporting, our chief operating decision-maker has been identified as our Chief Executive Officer, who reviews operating results to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance for the Company. Since we operate in one segment, all financial segment and product line information can be found in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
	The following table represents revenue amounts (in thousands) by product type:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Product type:
	GaAs substrates	$	9,013	$	12,901	$	31,378	$	39,994
	InP substrates		1,420		1,649		5,286		4,433
	Ge substrates		5,472		2,007		13,370		7,078
	Raw materials and other		4,616		4,251		16,698		17,942
	Total	$	20,521	$	20,808	$	66,732	$	69,447
	The following table represents revenue amounts (in thousands) reported for products shipped to customers in the corresponding geographic region:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				30-Sep
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Geographical region:
	China	$	6,611	$	3,063	$	20,344	$	15,031
	Europe (primarily Germany)		5,732		5,148		16,043		14,519
	Taiwan		1,536		3,490		8,474		9,130
	North America (primarily the United States)		2,298		3,230		7,810		12,663
	Japan		1,931		2,404		7,233		7,196
	Asia Pacific (excluding China, Taiwan and Japan)		2,413		3,473		6,828		10,908
	Total	$	20,521	$	20,808	$	66,732	$	69,447
	Long-lived assets consist primarily of property, plant and equipment, and are attributed to the geographic location in which they are located. Long-lived assets by geographic region were as follows (in thousands):
		As of
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	North America	$	228	$	430
	China		37,222		36,805
		$	37,450	$	37,235
	Significant Customers
	No customer represented more than 10% of our revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2013 while one customer represented 14.3% of our revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2012. No customer represented more than 10% of our revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 while one customer represented 15.6% of our revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Our top five customers, although not the same five customers for each period, represented 36.8% and 37.3% of our revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our top five customers, although not the same five customers for each period, represented 30.9% and 37.0% of our revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition, and limit the amount of credit extended when deemed necessary, but generally do not require collateral. One customer accounted for 11% and 28% of our trade accounts receivable balance as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies
	Indemnification Agreements
	We enter into standard indemnification arrangements with our customers in the ordinary course of business. Pursuant to these arrangements, we indemnify, hold harmless, and agree to reimburse the indemnified parties for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party, generally their business partners or customers, in connection with any U.S. patent, or any copyright or other intellectual property infringement claim by any third party with respect to our products. The term of these indemnification agreements is generally perpetual anytime after the execution of the agreement. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these agreements is unlimited. We have never incurred costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements. As a result, we believe the estimated fair value of these agreements is minimal.
	We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and officers that require us to indemnify our directors and officers against liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers, other than liabilities arising from willful misconduct of a culpable nature; to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified; and to obtain directors’ and officers’ insurance if available on reasonable terms, which we currently have in place.
	Product Warranty
	We provide warranties for our products for a specific period of time, generally twelve months, against material defects. We provide for the estimated future costs of warranty obligations in cost of sales when the related revenue is recognized. The accrued warranty costs represent the best estimate at the time of sale of the total costs that we expect to incur to repair or replace product parts that fail while still under warranty. The amount of accrued estimated warranty costs are primarily based on historical experience as to product failures as well as current information on repair costs. On a quarterly basis, we review the accrued balances and update these based on the historical warranty cost trends. The following table reflects the change in our warranty accrual which is included in “accrued liabilities” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Beginning accrued warranty and related costs	$	804		$	740		$	588		$	1,003
	Accruals for warranties issued		183			92			558			331
	Adjustments related to pre-existing warranties including expirations and changes in estimates		14			(57	)		351			(338	)
	Cost of warranty repair		(106	)		(78	)		(602	)		(299	)
	Ending accrued warranty and related costs	$	895		$	697		$	895		$	697
	Contractual Obligations
	We lease certain office space, manufacturing facilities and equipment under long-term operating leases expiring at various dates through February 2016. The majority of our lease obligation relates to our lease agreement for the facility at Fremont, California with approximately 27,760 square feet, which commenced on December 1, 2008 for a term of seven years, with an option by us to cancel the lease after five years, upon forfeiture of the security deposit and payment of one-half of the fifth year’s rent. On June 28, 2013, we sent a notice to terminate the lease effective November 30, 2013 with an early termination penalty of $142,000 which was recorded as an expense in the third quarter of 2013. On August 2, 2013, we signed a new lease agreement for the current facility with reduced footage of 20,767 square feet, which will commence on December 1, 2013 for a term of two years. The reduced square footage, the reduced rate per square foot, and the expected reduced operating costs, would save us approximately $382,000 during 2014 and 2015.
	We entered into a royalty agreement with a vendor effective December 3, 2010 with a term of eight years, terminating December 31, 2018.  We and our related companies are granted a worldwide, nonexclusive, royalty bearing, irrevocable license to certain patents for the term of the agreement. We shall pay a total of $7.0 million royalty payment over eight years beginning in 2011 based on future royalty bearing sales.
	Outstanding contractual obligations as of September 30, 2013 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		Payments due by period
	Contractual Obligations	Total			Less than 1 year			3-Jan			5-Apr			More than
								years			years			5 years
	Operating leases	$	379		$	210		$	169		$	—		$	—
	Royalty agreement		3,525			800			1,431			1,150			144
	Total	$	3,904		$	1,010		$	1,600		$	1,150		$	144
	Purchase Obligations
	In the normal course of business, we purchase or place orders for the necessary materials for our products from various suppliers and we commit to purchase products where we may incur a penalty if the agreement was canceled. As of September 30, 2013, we did not have any outstanding material purchase obligations.
	Legal Proceedings
	From time to time we may be involved in judicial or administrative proceedings concerning matters arising in the ordinary course of business. We do not expect that any of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

Foreign_Exchange_Transaction_L

Foreign Exchange Transaction Losses	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Foreign Exchange Transaction Losses [Abstract]	'
Foreign Exchange Transaction Losses	'
	Note 13. Foreign Exchange Transaction Gains/Losses
	We incurred foreign currency transaction exchange losses of $67,000 and gains of $114,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. We incurred foreign currency transaction exchange losses of $964,000 and gains of $55,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These amounts are included in “other income (expense), net” on our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Note 14. Income Taxes
	We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”) which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. ASC 740 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that a portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.  We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. As of September 30, 2013, we do not have any gross unrecognized tax benefits, nor accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions. As of December 31, 2012, we had $16.4 million for unrecognized tax benefits. Of this amount, none was accounted for as a reduction to the balance of retained earnings. No material changes have occurred in our tax position taken as of December 31, 2012 in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal, various states and foreign jurisdictions. We have substantially concluded all U.S. federal and state income tax matters through December 31, 2012. Provision for income taxes for three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was mostly related to our China subsidiary and our China joint venture operations. We have made a tax election in China whereby certain minimum foreign withholding taxes are treated as an expense and not a tax credit. Besides the state tax liabilities, no federal income tax benefit or expense has been provided for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 due to our net loss. No federal income tax benefit or expense has been provided for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 due to our valuation allowance being utilized and the uncertainty of future profits in the U.S.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]	'
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Note 15. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.” This standard provides guidance on financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. This standard applies to all entities that have unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. This standard will become effective for us for the three months ending March 31, 2014. We are currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of the standard on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
	In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05, “Parent's Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity.” This standard addresses the accounting for the cumulative translation adjustment when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity. The standard is effective as of the beginning of a fiscal year that begins after December 15, 2013 and interim and annual periods thereafter. The standard will become effective for us for the three months ending March 31, 2014. We are currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of the standard on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”. This standard requires entities to present information about reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income in the annual financial statements in a single note or on the face of the financial statements. Public companies will also have to provide this information in their interim financial statements.  The new requirements are effective as of the beginning of a fiscal year that begins after December 15, 2012 and interim and annual periods thereafter. The standard has been effective for us since the beginning of fiscal 2013 and did not have any significant impact on our consolidated results of operations and footnote disclosures.

Investments_in_Marketable_Secu1

Investments in Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments in Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Cash, cash equivalents and investments	'
	Our cash, cash equivalents and investments are classified as follows (in thousands):
		30-Sep-13											31-Dec-12
				Gross			Gross								Gross			Gross
		Amortized		Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair			Amortized		Unrealized			Unrealized			Fair
		Cost		Gains			(Losses)			Value			Cost		Gains			(Losses)			Value
	Classified as:
	Cash	$	24,114	$	—		$	—		$	24,114		$	26,250	$	—		$	—		$	26,250
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market fund		3,609		—			—			3,609			4,384		—			—			4,384
	Total cash and cash equivalents		27,723		—			—			27,723			30,634		—			—			30,634
	Investments (Available-for-sale):
	Certificates of deposit		6,320		5			(9	)		6,316			6,638		9			(2	)		6,645
	Corporate bonds		14,402		6			(25	)		14,383			12,872		7			(63	)		12,816
	Total investments		20,722		11			(34	)		20,699			19,510		16			(65	)		19,461
	Total cash, cash equivalents and investments	$	48,445	$	11		$	(34	)	$	48,422		$	50,144	$	16		$	(65	)	$	50,095
	Contractual maturities on investments:
	Due within 1 year	$	8,405							$	8,412		$	10,288							$	10,270
	Due after 1 through 5 years		12,317								12,287			9,222								9,191
		$	20,722							$	20,699		$	19,510							$	19,461
Fair value and gross unrealized losses related to available-for-sale securities	'
	The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized losses related to available-for-sale securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
		In Loss Position					In Loss Position						Total In
		< 12 months					> 12 months						Loss Position
				Gross						Gross					Gross
		Fair		Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
		Value		(Losses)			Value			(Losses)			Value		(Losses)
	Investments:
	Certificates of deposit	$	3,671	$	(9	)	$	—		$	—		$	3,671	$	(9	)
	Corporate bonds		11,738		(25	)		—			—			11,738		(25	)
	Total in loss position	$	15,409	$	(34	)	$	—		$	—		$	15,409	$	(34	)
	The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized losses related to available-for-sale securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		In Loss Position					In Loss Position						Total In
		< 12 Months					> 12 Months						Loss Position
		Fair		Gross			Fair			Gross			Fair		Gross
		Value		Unrealized			Value			Unrealized			Value		Unrealized
				(Losses)						(Losses)					(Losses)
	Investments:
	Certificates of deposit	$	1,877	$	(1	)	$	199		$	(1	)	$	2,076	$	(2	)
	Corporate bonds		6,446		(40	)		1,502			(23	)		7,948		(63	)
	Total in loss position	$	8,323	$	(41	)	$	1,701		$	(24	)	$	10,024	$	(65	)
Summary of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'
	The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
		Balance as of		Quoted Prices in			Significant Other
		30-Sep-13		Active Markets of			Observable
				Identical Assets			Inputs
				(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents and investments:
	Money market fund	$	3,609	$	3,609		$	—
	Certificates of deposit		6,316		—			6,316
	Corporate bonds		14,383		—			14,383
	Total	$	24,308	$	3,609		$	20,699
	Liabilities	$	—	$	—		$	—
	The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		Balance as of		Quoted Prices in			Significant Other
		31-Dec-12		Active Markets of			Observable
				Identical Assets			Inputs
				(Level 1)			(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents and investments:
	Money market fund	$	4,384	$	4,384		$	—
	Certificates of deposit		6,645		—			6,645
	Corporate bonds		12,816		—			12,816
	Total	$	23,845	$	4,384		$	19,461
	Liabilities	$	—	$	—		$	—

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventories [Abstract]	'
Components of inventories	'
	The components of inventories are summarized below (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Raw materials	$	21,009	$	20,003
	Work in process		13,265		15,608
	Finished goods		4,102		4,741
		$	38,376	$	40,352

Accrued_Liabilities_Tables

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Components of accrued liabilities	'
	The components of accrued liabilities are summarized below (in thousands):
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Accrued compensation and related charges	$	1,817	$	2,066
	Dividends payable by consolidated joint ventures		1,175		—
	Accrued product warranty		895		588
	Current portion of royalty payments		800		800
	Accrued professional services		654		609
	Accrued income taxes		156		640
	Other accrued liabilities		3,711		2,499
		$	9,208	$	7,202

Investments_in_Companies_Table

Investments in Companies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments in Companies [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	The investments are summarized below (in thousands):
		Investment Balance as of
		September 30,		December 31,		Accounting		Ownership
	Company	2013		2012		Method		Percentage
	Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd	$	3,331	$	3,331	Consolidated			46	%
	Nanjing Jin Mei Gallium Co., Ltd		592		592	Consolidated			83	%
	Beijing BoYu Semiconductor Vessel Craftwork Technology Co., Ltd		410		410	Consolidated			70	%
		$	4,333	$	4,333
	Donghai County Dongfang High Purity Electronic Materials Co., Ltd.	$	1,950	$	2,038	Equity			46	%
	Xilingol Tongli Germanium Co. Ltd		4,618		4,246	Equity			25	%
	Emeishan Jia Mei High Purity Metals Co., Ltd		942		1,042	Equity			25	%
		$	7,510	$	7,326
Summarized income information	'
	All of the minority investment entities that are not consolidated and accounted for under the equity method had the following summarized income information (in thousands) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013		2012			2013				2012
	Net revenue	$	11,024	$	9,394		$	29,938			$	23,676
	Gross profit	$	3,628	$	3,377		$	10,516			$	8,137
	Operating income	$	2,393	$	2,018		$	6,566			$	4,542
	Net income	$	1,631	$	1,897		$	4,960			$	3,915

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'
Consolidated statements of changes in equity	'
	Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
	(in thousands)
		Preferred		Common		Additional			Accumulated			Other		AXT, Inc.			Noncontrolling			Total
		Stock		Stock		Paid In Capital			Deficit			Comprehensive		Stockholders’			Interests			Stockholders’
												Income/(loss)		Equity						Equity
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	3,532	$	32	$	193,063		$	(59,047	)	$	6,033	$	143,613		$	7,301		$	150,914
	Common stock options exercised						278								278						278
	Common stock repurchased						(287	)							(287	)					(287	)
	Stock-based compensation						1,004								1,004						1,004
	Net income (loss)									(6,730	)				(6,730	)		1,105			(5,625	)
	Dividends declared by joint ventures																	(2,898	)		(2,898	)
	Change in unrealized (loss) gain on marketable securities												26		26						26
	Currency translation adjustment												929		929			248			1,177
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	3,532	$	32	$	194,058		$	(65,777	)	$	6,988	$	138,833		$	5,756		$	144,589

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Compensation costs related to stock-based awards	'
	The following table summarizes compensation costs related to our stock-based awards (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Cost of revenue	$	6		$	19		$	17	$	56
	Selling, general and administrative		285			245			860		721
	Research and development		43			36			127		96
	Total stock-based compensation		334			300			1,004		873
	Tax effect on stock-based compensation		—			—			—		—
	Net effect on net income (loss)	$	334		$	300		$	1,004	$	873
Weighted-average assumptions	'
	The fair value of our stock options granted to employees for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions:
		Three Months			Nine Months
		Ended			Ended
		30-Sep-13			September 30,
					2013
	Expected term (in years)		4			4
	Volatility		61.86	%		61.86	%
	Expected dividend		0	%		0	%
	Risk-free interest rate		1	%		1	%
Summary of stock option activity	'
	The following table summarizes the stock option transactions during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands, except per share data):
	Stock Options	Shares			Weighted-			Weighted-		Aggregate
					average			average		Intrinsic
					Exercise			Remaining		Value
					Price			Contractual
								Life
								(in years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2013		2,727		$	3.28			6.71	$	1,353
	Granted		60			2.55
	Exercised		(200	)	$	1.4
	Canceled and expired		(48	)	$	4.42
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		2,539		$	3.39			6.44	$	610
	Options vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2013		2,522		$	3.39			6.42	$	610
	Options exercisable as of September 30, 2013		1,682		$	3.22			5.3	$	607
Restricted stock awards	'
	A summary of activity related to restricted stock awards for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is presented below:
	Stock Awards	Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant Date Fair Value
	Non-vested as of January 1, 2013		238,723		$	4.27
	Granted		43,636		$	2.75
	Vested		(47,767	)	$	5.13
	Non-vested as of September 30, 2013		234,592		$	3.82

Net_Income_loss_Per_Share_Tabl

Net Income (loss) Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Net Income (loss) Per Share [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of numerators and denominators of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share	'
	A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted net income (loss) per share calculations is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Numerator:
	Net income (loss) attributable to AXT, Inc.	$	(2,295	)	$	932		$	(6,730	)	$	3,866
	Less: Preferred stock dividends		(44	)		(44	)		(132	)		(132	)
	Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$	(2,339	)	$	888		$	(6,862	)	$	3,734
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares (basic)		32,366			32,183			32,407			32,118
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Common stock options		—			582			—			754
	Restricted stock awards		—			4			—			39
	Weighted average common shares (dilutive)		32,366			32,769			32,407			32,911
	Net income (loss) attributable to AXT, Inc. per common share:
	Basic	$	(0.07	)	$	0.03		$	(0.21	)	$	0.12
	Diluted	$	(0.07	)	$	0.03		$	(0.21	)	$	0.11
	Options excluded from diluted net income (loss)  per share as the impact is anti-dilutive		2,524			992			2,563			977
	Restricted stock excluded from diluted net income (loss) per share as the impact is anti-dilutive		243			172			242			14

Segment_Information_and_Foreig1

Segment Information and Foreign Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Information and Foreign Operations [Abstract]	'
Product Information	'
	The following table represents revenue amounts (in thousands) by product type:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Product type:
	GaAs substrates	$	9,013	$	12,901	$	31,378	$	39,994
	InP substrates		1,420		1,649		5,286		4,433
	Ge substrates		5,472		2,007		13,370		7,078
	Raw materials and other		4,616		4,251		16,698		17,942
	Total	$	20,521	$	20,808	$	66,732	$	69,447
Revenue reported for products shipped to customers in the corresponding geographic region	'
	The following table represents revenue amounts (in thousands) reported for products shipped to customers in the corresponding geographic region:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				30-Sep
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Geographical region:
	China	$	6,611	$	3,063	$	20,344	$	15,031
	Europe (primarily Germany)		5,732		5,148		16,043		14,519
	Taiwan		1,536		3,490		8,474		9,130
	North America (primarily the United States)		2,298		3,230		7,810		12,663
	Japan		1,931		2,404		7,233		7,196
	Asia Pacific (excluding China, Taiwan and Japan)		2,413		3,473		6,828		10,908
	Total	$	20,521	$	20,808	$	66,732	$	69,447
Long-lived assets by geographic region	'
	Long-lived assets consist primarily of property, plant and equipment, and are attributed to the geographic location in which they are located. Long-lived assets by geographic region were as follows (in thousands):
		As of
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	North America	$	228	$	430
	China		37,222		36,805
		$	37,450	$	37,235

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Product warranty accrued liability	'
	The following table reflects the change in our warranty accrual which is included in “accrued liabilities” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Beginning accrued warranty and related costs	$	804		$	740		$	588		$	1,003
	Accruals for warranties issued		183			92			558			331
	Adjustments related to pre-existing warranties including expirations and changes in estimates		14			(57	)		351			(338	)
	Cost of warranty repair		(106	)		(78	)		(602	)		(299	)
	Ending accrued warranty and related costs	$	895		$	697		$	895		$	697
Outstanding contractual obligations	'
	Outstanding contractual obligations as of September 30, 2013 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		Payments due by period
	Contractual Obligations	Total			Less than 1 year			3-Jan			5-Apr			More than
								years			years			5 years
	Operating leases	$	379		$	210		$	169		$	—		$	—
	Royalty agreement		3,525			800			1,431			1,150			144
	Total	$	3,904		$	1,010		$	1,600		$	1,150		$	144

Basis_of_Presentation_Details

Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of ownership, equity method (in hundredths)	20.00%	'	20.00%	'
Reclassified from other income (expense) to equity in earnings	$346,000	$348,000	$1,099,000	$786,000
Minimum [Member] | Majority-owned Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of ownership, equity method (in hundredths)	20.00%	'	20.00%	'
Maximum [Member] | Majority-owned Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of ownership, equity method (in hundredths)	50.00%	'	50.00%	'

Investments_in_Marketable_Secu2

Investments in Marketable Securities and Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash, cash equivalents and investments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cash	$24,114,000	$26,250,000	'	'
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Money market funds	3,609,000	4,384,000	'	'
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total	27,723,000	30,634,000	35,503,000	26,156,000
Amortized Cost	48,445,000	50,144,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized Gain	11,000	16,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized (Loss)	-34,000	-65,000	'	'
Fair Value	48,422,000	50,095,000	'	'
Contractual maturities on investments, amortized cost basis [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Due within 1 year	8,405,000	10,288,000	'	'
Due after 1 through 5 years	12,317,000	9,222,000	'	'
Investments, amortized cost	20,722,000	19,510,000	'	'
Contractual maturities on investments, fair value basis [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Due within 1 year	8,412,000	10,270,000	'	'
Due after 1 through 5 years	12,287,000	9,191,000	'	'
Investments, fair value	20,699,000	19,461,000	'	'
Summary of fair value and gross unrealized losses related to available-for-sale securities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Fair value, in loss position less than twelve months	15,409,000	8,323,000	'	'
Gross unrealized loss, in loss position less than twelve months	-34,000	-41,000	'	'
Fair value, in loss position greater than twelve months	0	1,701,000	'	'
Gross unrealized loss, in loss position greater than twelve months	0	-24,000	'	'
Fair value, total in loss position	15,409,000	10,024,000	'	'
Gross unrealized loss, total in loss position	-34,000	-65,000	'	'
Minority Investments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Minority investments in unconsolidated privately-held companies	325,000	392,000	'	'
Recurring [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Assets, fair value	24,308,000	23,845,000	'	'
Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Liabilities, fair value	0	0	'	'
Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets of Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Assets, fair value	3,609,000	4,384,000	'	'
Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Liabilities, fair value	0	0	'	'
Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Assets, fair value	20,699,000	19,461,000	'	'
Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Liabilities, fair value	0	0	'	'
Recurring [Member] | Money market fund - cash [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	3,609,000	4,384,000	'	'
Recurring [Member] | Money market fund - cash [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets of Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	3,609,000	4,384,000	'	'
Recurring [Member] | Money market fund - cash [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0	'	'
Recurring [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	6,316,000	6,645,000	'	'
Recurring [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets of Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0	'	'
Recurring [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	6,316,000	6,645,000	'	'
Recurring [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	14,383,000	12,816,000	'	'
Recurring [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets of Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0	'	'
Recurring [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	14,383,000	12,816,000	'	'
Other assets [Member]	'	'	'	'
Minority Investments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Investments in privately-held companies	10,600,000	9,400,000	'	'
Minority investments in unconsolidated privately-held companies	325,000	392,000	'	'
Certificates of deposit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Amortized Cost	6,320,000	6,638,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized Gain	5,000	9,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized (Loss)	-9,000	-2,000	'	'
Fair Value	6,316,000	6,645,000	'	'
Summary of fair value and gross unrealized losses related to available-for-sale securities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Fair value, in loss position less than twelve months	3,671,000	1,877,000	'	'
Gross unrealized loss, in loss position less than twelve months	-9,000	-1,000	'	'
Fair value, in loss position greater than twelve months	0	199,000	'	'
Gross unrealized loss, in loss position greater than twelve months	0	-1,000	'	'
Fair value, total in loss position	3,671,000	2,076,000	'	'
Gross unrealized loss, total in loss position	-9,000	-2,000	'	'
Corporate bonds [Member]	'	'	'	'
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Amortized Cost	14,402,000	12,872,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized Gain	6,000	7,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized (Loss)	-25,000	-63,000	'	'
Fair Value	14,383,000	12,816,000	'	'
Summary of fair value and gross unrealized losses related to available-for-sale securities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Fair value, in loss position less than twelve months	11,738,000	6,446,000	'	'
Gross unrealized loss, in loss position less than twelve months	-25,000	-40,000	'	'
Fair value, in loss position greater than twelve months	0	1,502,000	'	'
Gross unrealized loss, in loss position greater than twelve months	0	-23,000	'	'
Fair value, total in loss position	11,738,000	7,948,000	'	'
Gross unrealized loss, total in loss position	-25,000	-63,000	'	'
Total Investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Amortized Cost	20,722,000	19,510,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized Gain	11,000	16,000	'	'
Gross Unrealized (Loss)	-34,000	-65,000	'	'
Fair Value	$20,699,000	$19,461,000	'	'

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventories [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$21,009,000	$20,003,000
Work in process	13,265,000	15,608,000
Finished goods	4,102,000	4,741,000
Inventories, total	38,376,000	40,352,000	[1]
Inventory reserve	$10,500,000	$10,100,000
[1]	The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date.

Accrued_Liabilities_Details

Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Components of accrued liabilities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accrued compensation and related charges	$1,817	'	$2,066	'	'	'
Dividends payable by consolidated joint ventures	1,175	'	0	'	'	'
Accrued product warranty	895	804	588	697	740	1,003
Current portion of royalty payments	800	'	800	'	'	'
Accrued professional services	654	'	609	'	'	'
Accrued income taxes	156	'	640	'	'	'
Other accrued liabilities	3,711	'	2,499	'	'	'
Accrued liabilities, total	$9,208	'	$7,202	'	'	'

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Aug. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

USD ($)

USD ($)

Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co Ltd [Member]

Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co Ltd [Member]

Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co Ltd [Member]

Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co Ltd [Member]

Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co Ltd [Member]

Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co Ltd [Member]

Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co Ltd [Member]

Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co Ltd [Member]

Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co Ltd [Member]

Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co Ltd [Member]

Nanjing Jin Mei Gallium Co Ltd [Member]

Nanjing Jin Mei Gallium Co Ltd [Member]

Nanjing Jin Mei Gallium Co Ltd [Member]

Nanjing Jin Mei Gallium Co Ltd [Member]

Nanjing Jin Mei Gallium Co Ltd [Member]

Nanjing Jin Mei Gallium Co Ltd [Member]

Beijing Tongmei Xtal Technology [Member]

Beijing Tongmei Xtal Technology [Member]

USD ($)

CNY

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

CNY

USD ($)

USD ($)

CNY

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

CNY

USD ($)

CNY

EquityMethodInvestee

Installment

Installment

Related Party Transaction [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of loan under note agreement

'

'

$1,700,000

10,485,200

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of equity method investees to whom loan was granted

'

'

1

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of loan to related parties

'

'

801,000

4,959,000

'

'

893,000

5,526,200

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturity date

'

'

31-May-14

31-May-14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31-Dec-13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term of Loan

'

'

'2 years 10 months

'2 years 10 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of installments

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

First installment due in Dec 2012

'

'

'

'

423,000

'

'

'

423,000

'

2,620,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Second installment due in Dec 2013

'

'

'

'

847,000

'

'

'

847,000

'

5,240,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Final installment due in May 2014

'

'

'

'

424,000

'

'

'

424,000

'

2,625,200

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amended first installment due in June 2013

'

'

'

'

423,000

'

'

'

423,000

'

2,620,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Related party notes receivable - short term

2,517,000

2,036,000

[1]

'

'

1,700,000

'

'

'

1,700,000

'

10,500,000

'

'

813,000

'

813,000

'

5,000,000

'

'

Interest rate (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6.70%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income from agency sales

'

'

'

'

0

10,000

'

'

20,000

15,000

'

'

'

29,000

18,000

123,000

113,000

'

'

'

Accrued liabilities

9,208,000

7,202,000

'

'

521,000,000

'

'

'

521,000,000

'

'

257,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts payable

8,596,000

5,894,000

[1]

'

'

827,000

'

'

'

827,000

'

'

1,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments to purchase materials

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$120,000

740,924

[1]

The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date.

Investments_in_Companies_Detai

Investments in Companies (Details)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

AXT, Inc. [Member]

AXT, Inc. [Member]

AXT, Inc. [Member]

AXT, Inc. [Member]

Equity Method Investments [Member]

Equity Method Investments [Member]

Equity Method Investments [Member]

Equity Method Investments [Member]

Equity Method Investments [Member]

Equity Method Investments [Member]

Majority-owned Subsidiaries [Member]

Majority-owned Subsidiaries [Member]

Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd [Member]

Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd [Member]

Nanjing Jin Mei Gallium Co., Ltd [Member]

Nanjing Jin Mei Gallium Co., Ltd [Member]

Beijing BoYu Semiconductor Vessel Craftwork Technology Co., Ltd [Member]

Beijing BoYu Semiconductor Vessel Craftwork Technology Co., Ltd [Member]

Donghai County Dongfang High Purity Electronic Materials Co., Ltd [Member]

Donghai County Dongfang High Purity Electronic Materials Co., Ltd [Member]

Xilingol Tongli Germanium Co. Ltd [Member]

Xilingol Tongli Germanium Co. Ltd [Member]

Emeishan Jia Mei High Purity Metals Co., Ltd [Member]

Emeishan Jia Mei High Purity Metals Co., Ltd [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

CNY

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Majority-owned Subsidiaries [Member]

Majority-owned Subsidiaries [Member]

Majority-owned Subsidiaries [Member]

Majority-owned Subsidiaries [Member]

Majority-owned Subsidiaries [Member]

Majority-owned Subsidiaries [Member]

Equity Method Investments [Member]

Equity Method Investments [Member]

Equity Method Investments [Member]

Equity Method Investments [Member]

Equity Method Investments [Member]

Equity Method Investments [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Summary of investments [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investments, consolidated

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$460,000

'

$460,000

'

2,800,000

'

$4,333,000

$4,333,000

$3,331,000

$3,331,000

$592,000

$592,000

$410,000

$410,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity method investment by parent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,510,000

'

7,510,000

'

'

7,326,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,950,000

2,038,000

4,618,000

4,246,000

942,000

1,042,000

Percentage of ownership, consolidated method (in hundredths)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

46.00%

'

83.00%

'

70.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of ownership, equity method (in hundredths)

20.00%

'

20.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

46.00%

'

25.00%

'

25.00%

'

Number of consolidated joint ventures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income from three consolidated joint ventures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

565,000

1,800,000

3,300,000

7,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income allocated to minority interests

230,000

512,000

1,105,000

2,957,000

'

'

'

'

'

230,000

512,000

1,100,000

3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income from joint ventures attributable to parent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

335,000

1,200,000

2,200,000

4,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of equity investment entities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minority investment invested by consolidated joint venture, included in other assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,100,000

'

3,100,000

'

'

2,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gross equity earnings (losses) from minority-owned joint ventures that are not consolidated, recorded as other income

346,000

348,000

1,099,000

786,000

'

'

'

'

'

346,000

348,000

1,100,000

786,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of Option Exercised to Sell Shares

35.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investments in unconsolidated privately-held entities, included in other assets

325,000

'

325,000

'

392,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Summarized income information of all the minority investment entities that are not consolidated and accounted for under the equity method [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net revenue

'

'

'

'

'

11,024,000

9,394,000

29,938,000

23,676,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gross profit

'

'

'

'

'

3,628,000

3,377,000

10,516,000

8,137,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating income

'

'

'

'

'

2,393,000

2,018,000

6,566,000

4,542,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income

'

'

'

'

'

$1,631,000

$1,897,000

$4,960,000

$3,915,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Additional Paid In Capital [Member]

Accumulated Deficit [Member]

Other Comprehensive Income/(loss) [Member]

AXT, Inc. stockholders equity [Member]

Noncontrolling interests [Member]

Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance, beginning of period

'

'

$150,914

[1]

'

$3,532

$3,532

$32

$32

$193,063

($59,047)

$6,033

$143,613

$7,301

Common stock options exercised

'

'

278

'

'

'

'

'

278

'

'

272

'

Common stock repurchased

'

'

-287

'

'

'

'

'

-287

'

'

-287

'

Stock-based compensation

'

'

1,004

'

'

'

'

'

1,004

'

'

1,004

'

Comprehensive income:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net loss

-2,065

1,444

-5,625

6,823

'

'

'

'

'

-6,730

'

-6,730

1,105

Dividends declared by joint ventures

'

'

-2,898

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,898

Change in unrealized (loss) gain on marketable securities

73

9

26

115

'

'

'

'

'

'

26

26

'

Currency translation adjustment

'

'

1,177

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

929

929

248

Balance, end of period

$144,589

'

$144,589

'

$3,532

$3,532

$32

$32

$194,058

($65,777)

$6,988

$138,833

$5,756

[1]

The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date.

Stock_Repurchase_Program_Detai

Stock Repurchase Program (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract]	'	'	'
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount	'	$6,000,000	'
Shares repurchased under stock repurchase program (in shares)	103,000	103,000	'
Average price of shares repurchased (in dollars per share)	$2.79	$2.79	'
Total share purchase price of shares repurchased	287,000	287,000	0
Amount available for future repurchases	'	$5,700,000	'

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 28, 2013
Stock-based compensation in the form of employee stock options and restricted stock [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation	$334,000	$300,000	$1,004,000	$873,000	'	'
Tax effect on stock-based compensation	0	0	0	0	'	'
Net effect on net income (loss)	334,000	300,000	1,004,000	873,000	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted (in dollars per share)	$1.21	$0	'	'	'	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Compensation costs related to unvested stock options not yet recognized	1,500,000	'	1,500,000	'	'	'
Value of estimated forfeitures	'	'	30,000	'	'	'
Weighted-average period of amortization	'	'	'2 years 4 months 24 days	'	'	'
Weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted (in dollars per share)	'	'	$1.21	$2.84	'	'
Weighted average assumptions [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expected term (in years)	'4 years	'	'4 years	'	'	'
Volatility (in hundredths)	61.86%	'	61.86%	'	'	'
Expected dividend (in hundredths)	0.00%	'	0.00%	'	'	'
Risk-free interest rate (in hundredths)	1.00%	'	1.00%	'	'	'
Number of options outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Options outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	'	'	2,727,000	'	'	'
Granted (in shares)	'	0	60,000	'	'	'
Exercised (in shares)	'	'	-200,000	'	'	'
Canceled and expired (in shares)	'	'	-48,000	'	'	'
Options outstanding, end of period (in shares)	2,539,000	'	2,539,000	'	2,727,000	'
Options vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2013	2,522,000	'	2,522,000	'	'	'
Options exercisable as of September 30, 2013	1,682,000	'	1,682,000	'	'	'
Weighted average exercise price [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Options outstanding, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	'	'	$3.28	'	'	'
Granted (in dollars per share)	'	$0	$2.55	'	'	'
Exercised (in dollars per share)	'	'	$1.40	'	'	'
Canceled and expired (in dollars per share)	'	'	$4.42	'	'	'
Options outstanding, end of period (in dollars per share)	$3.39	'	$3.39	'	$3.28	'
Options vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2013	$3.39	'	$3.39	'	'	'
Options exercisable as of September 30, 2013	$3.22	'	$3.22	'	'	'
Weighted average Remaining Contractual Life [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Options outstanding, beginning of period	'	'	'6 years 5 months 8 days	'	'6 years 8 months 16 days	'
Options outstanding, end of period	'	'	'6 years 5 months 8 days	'	'6 years 8 months 16 days	'
Options vested and expected to vest, end of period	'	'	'6 years 5 months 1 day	'	'	'
Option exercisable, end of period	'	'	'5 years 3 months 18 days	'	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Options outstanding, beginning of period	'	'	1,353,000	'	'	'
Options outstanding, end of period	610,000	'	610,000	'	1,353,000	'
Options vested and expected to vest, aggregate intrinsic value	610,000	'	610,000	'	'	'
Options exercisable, end of period	607,000	'	607,000	'	'	'
Closing price (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	'	'	$2.34
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average period of amortization	'	'	'2 years 4 months 24 days	'	'	'
Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Non-vested, beginning of period (in shares)	'	'	238,723	'	'	'
Granted (in shares)	'	'	43,636	'	'	'
Vested (in shares)	'	'	-47,767	'	'	'
Non-vested, end of period (in shares)	234,592	'	234,592	'	'	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Non-vested, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	'	'	$4.27	'	'	'
Granted (in dollars per share)	'	'	$2.75	'	'	'
Vested (in dollars per share)	'	'	$5.13	'	'	'
Non-vested, end of period (in dollars per share)	$3.82	'	$3.82	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock awards	687,000	'	687,000	'	'	'
Cost of revenue [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation in the form of employee stock options and restricted stock [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation	6,000	19,000	17,000	56,000	'	'
Selling, general and administrative [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation in the form of employee stock options and restricted stock [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation	285,000	245,000	860,000	721,000	'	'
Research and development [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation in the form of employee stock options and restricted stock [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation	$43,000	$36,000	$127,000	$96,000	'	'

Net_Income_loss_Per_Share_Deta

Net Income (loss) Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Numerator [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to AXT, Inc.	($2,295)	$932	($6,730)	$3,866	'
Less: Preferred stock dividends	-44	-44	-132	-132	'
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	-2,339	888	-6,862	3,734	'
Denominator [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average common shares (basic) (in shares)	32,366	32,183	32,407	32,118	'
Effect Of Dilutive Securities On Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average common shares (dilutive) (in shares)	32,366	32,769	32,407	32,911	'
Net income (loss) attributable to AXT, Inc. per common share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	($0.07)	$0.03	($0.21)	$0.12	'
Diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.07)	$0.03	($0.21)	$0.11	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	883	'	883	'	883
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	883	'	883	'	883
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	'	$0.00	'	$0.00
Preferred stock, value	$3,532	'	$3,532	'	$3,532	[1]
Cumulative annual dividend rate (in hundredths)	'	'	5.00%	'	5.00%
Liquidation preference over common stock (in dollars per share)	$4	'	$4	'	$4
Options [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Securities excluded from diluted net income (loss) per share as the impact is anti-dilutive (in shares)	2,524	992	2,563	977	'
Restricted stock awards [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Securities excluded from diluted net income (loss) per share as the impact is anti-dilutive (in shares)	243	172	242	14	'
Common stock options [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Effect Of Dilutive Securities On Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	0	582	0	754	'
Restricted stock awards [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Effect Of Dilutive Securities On Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	0	4	0	39	'
[1]	The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date.

Segment_Information_and_Foreig2

Segment Information and Foreign Operations, Revenue by product (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenue by product type [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	$20,521	$20,808	$66,732	$69,447
GaAs Substrates [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue by product type [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	9,013	12,901	31,378	39,994
InP Substrates [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue by product type [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	1,420	1,649	5,286	4,433
Ge Substrates [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue by product type [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	5,472	2,007	13,370	7,078
Raw Materials And Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue by product type [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	$4,616	$4,251	$16,698	$17,942

Segment_Information_and_Foreig3

Segment Information and Foreign Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
			Segment
Segment Information [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of operating segments	'	'	1	'	'
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	$20,521	$20,808	$66,732	$69,447	'
Long-lived assets by geographic region [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Long-lived assets	37,450	'	37,450	'	37,235	[1]
Major Customer One [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of customers representing significant revenue	0	1	0	1	'
Percentage of revenue generated by major customers (in hundredths)	'	14.30%	'	15.60%	'
Number of customers who accounted for 10% or more share in trade accounts receivable	2	'	2	'	1
Percentage of trade accounts receivable accounted by one customer (in hundredths)	11.00%	'	11.00%	'	28.00%
Top Five Major Customers [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of revenue generated by major customers (in hundredths)	36.80%	37.30%	30.90%	37.00%	'
Number of major customers	'	'	5	5	'
China [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	6,611	3,063	20,344	15,031	'
Long-lived assets by geographic region [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Long-lived assets	37,222	'	37,222	'	36,805
Europe (primarily Germany) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	5,732	5,148	16,043	14,519	'
Taiwan [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	1,536	3,490	8,474	9,130	'
North America (primarily the United States) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	2,298	3,230	7,810	12,663	'
Long-lived assets by geographic region [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Long-lived assets	228	'	228	'	430
Japan [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	1,931	2,404	7,233	7,196	'
Asia Pacific (excluding Japan and Taiwan) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenue	$2,413	$3,473	$6,828	$10,908	'
[1]	The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date.

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Aug. 02, 2013
	sqft		sqft		sqft
Product Warranty [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Period of warranty	'	'	'12 months	'	'
Change in warranty accrual [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning accrued warranty and related costs	$804,000	$740,000	$588,000	$1,003,000	'
Accruals for warranties issued	183,000	92,000	558,000	331,000	'
Adjustments related to pre-existing warranties including expirations and changes in estimates	14,000	-57,000	351,000	-338,000	'
Cost of warranty repair	-106,000	-78,000	-602,000	-299,000	'
Ending accrued warranty and related costs	895,000	697,000	895,000	697,000	'
Contractual Obligations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Area of property under long-term operating lease (in square feet)	27,760	'	27,760	'	'
Period of operating lease	'	'	'7 years	'	'
Period to be lapsed for cancelling lease	'5 years	'	'5 years	'	'
Penalty payment	'	'	142,000	'	'
Term of royalty agreement	'	'	'8 years	'	'
Aggregate amount payable towards royalty	7,000,000	'	7,000,000	'	'
Revised facility area	'	'	'	'	20,767
Savings as a result of revised facility area	'	'	'	'	382,000
Outstanding contractual obligations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Total	3,904,000	'	3,904,000	'	'
Less than 1 year	1,010,000	'	1,010,000	'	'
1-3 years	1,600,000	'	1,600,000	'	'
4-5 years	1,150,000	'	1,150,000	'	'
More than 5 years	144,000	'	144,000	'	'
Operating leases [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding contractual obligations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Total	379,000	'	379,000	'	'
Less than 1 year	210,000	'	210,000	'	'
1-3 years	169,000	'	169,000	'	'
4-5 years	0	'	0	'	'
More than 5 years	0	'	0	'	'
Royalty agreement [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding contractual obligations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Total	3,525,000	'	3,525,000	'	'
Less than 1 year	800,000	'	800,000	'	'
1-3 years	1,431,000	'	1,431,000	'	'
4-5 years	1,150,000	'	1,150,000	'	'
More than 5 years	$144,000	'	$144,000	'	'

Foreign_Exchange_Transaction_L1

Foreign Exchange Transaction Losses (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Foreign Exchange Transaction Losses [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Foreign exchange transaction exchange gains (losses)	($67,000)	$114,000	($964,000)	$55,000

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Gross unrecognized tax benefits	$16,400,000	'	$16,400,000	'	$16,400,000
Federal income tax expense	$0	$0	$0	$0	'