EMCORE (EMKR) 10-Q 6 May 15 2015 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	1-May-15
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	EMCORE CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key	808326
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-21
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		32,296,486

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$19,057	$12,953	$37,473	$27,616
Cost of revenue	12,678	10,055	25,915	22,327
Gross profit	6,379	2,898	11,558	5,289
Operating expense:
Selling, general, and administrative	5,954	4,328	14,581	9,984
Research and development	2,022	2,676	4,196	4,500
Gain from change in estimate on ARO obligation	0	0	-845	0
Loss on sale of assets	0	0	228	0
Total operating expense	7,976	7,004	18,160	14,484
Operating loss	-1,597	-4,106	-6,602	-9,195
Other income (expense):
Interest income (expense), net	165	-117	35	-243
Foreign exchange (loss) gain	-6	-90	51	10
Gain on sale of investment	0	17	0	307
Change in fair value of financial instruments	86	7	122	-71
Total other income (expense)	245	-183	208	3
Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense	-1,352	-4,289	-6,394	-9,192
Income tax benefit (expense)	396	-433	2,308	647
Loss from continuing operations	-956	-4,722	-4,086	-8,545
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	4,008	-710	63,266	1,059
Net income (loss)	3,052	-5,432	59,180	-7,486
Other comprehensive income (net of tax):
Foreign exchange translation adjustment	-8	-43	-719	2
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-8	-43	-719	2
Comprehensive income (loss)	$3,044	($5,475)	$58,461	($7,484)
Net income (loss) per basic and diluted share:
Net income (loss) per basic and diluted shares, continuing operations (USD per share)	($0.03)	($0.16)	($0.13)	($0.28)
Net income (loss) per basic and diluted shares, discontinued operations (USD per share)	$0.13	($0.02)	$2	$0.03
Net income (loss) per basic share and diluted share (USD per share)	$0.10	($0.18)	$1.87	($0.25)
Weighted-average number of basic and diluted shares outstanding	32,077	30,392	31,640	30,162

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$140,965	$20,687
Restricted cash	168	1,482
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $413 and $116, respectively	17,110	12,769
Inventory	15,501	15,644
Deferred income taxes, net	0	3,908
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	6,236	5,336
Current assets of discontinued operations	0	44,065
Total current assets	179,980	103,891
Property, plant, and equipment, net	7,976	10,446
Other intangible assets, net	70	82
Note receivable	15,482	0
Deferred income taxes, net	0	20,172
Other non-current assets, net of allowance of $3,561 and $3,561, respectively	320	512
Non-current assets of discontinued operations	0	56,239
Total assets	203,828	191,342
Current liabilities:
Borrowings from credit facility	0	26,518
Accounts payable	6,819	6,804
Deferred gain associated with sale of assets	3,400	3,400
Warrant liability	0	122
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	15,976	15,209
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	0	20,924
Total current liabilities	26,195	72,977
Asset retirement obligations	1,731	4,543
Other long-term liabilities	415	755
Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations	0	720
Total liabilities	28,341	78,995
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 5,882 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock, no par value, 50,000 shares authorized; 32,303 shares issued and 32,263 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2015; 31,149 shares issued and 31,109 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2014	760,047	755,368
Treasury stock, at cost; 40 shares	-2,071	-2,071
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,118	1,837
Accumulated deficit	-583,607	-642,787
Total shareholders’ equity	175,487	112,347
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$203,828	$191,342

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - Parenthetical (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Accounts receivable:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$413	$116
Other non-current assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$3,561	$3,561
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value (USD per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	5,882,000	5,882,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (USD per share)	$0	$0
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	32,303,000	31,149,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	32,263,000	31,109,000
Treasury stock, shares held (in shares)	40,000	40,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$59,180	($7,486)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion expense	1,803	4,163
Stock-based compensation expense	3,760	2,239
Deferred income taxes	24,080	0
Gain on sale of an investment	0	-307
Provision adjustments related to doubtful accounts	463	361
Provision adjustments related to product warranty	515	1,562
Change in fair value of financial instruments	-122	71
Gain from change in estimate on ARO obligation	-845	0
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment	-744	0
Net loss on disposal of equipment	237	0
Settlement of customer related warranty claim	-280	0
Total non-cash adjustments	-60,149	8,089
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	3,859	4,003
Inventory	-1,541	3,526
Other assets	-913	2,496
Accounts payable	-3,151	-630
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	-3,012	-2,698
Total change in operating assets and liabilities	-4,758	6,697
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	-5,727	7,300
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash proceeds from sale of investment	0	307
Purchase of equipment	-1,150	-1,039
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	1,314	-1,178
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment	50	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	151,714	-1,910
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on credit facilities	-26,518	-4,106
Proceeds from stock plans	834	659
Net cash used in financing activities	-25,684	-3,447
Effect of exchange rate changes on foreign currency	-25	128
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	120,278	2,071
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	20,687	16,104
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	140,965	18,175
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the period for interest	139	272
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	25	4
Sale of Digital Products assets to NeoPhotonics for note receivable	15,482	0
Photovoltaics
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operation, net of tax	-87,022	0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of business	150,000	0
Digital Products Business
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operation, net of tax	-1,994	0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of business	$1,500	$0

Description_of_Business

Description of Business	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description of Business	Description of Business
	Business Overview
	EMCORE Corporation and its subsidiaries (referred to herein as the “Company”, “we”, “our”, or “EMCORE”) offers a broad portfolio of compound semiconductor-based products for the fiber optics market. We were established in 1984 as a New Jersey corporation and we have one reporting segment: Fiber Optics. EMCORE's Fiber Optics business provides optical components, subsystems and systems for high-speed telecommunications, Cable Television (CATV), Wireless and Fiber-To-The-Premises (FTTP) networks, as well as products for satellite communications, video transport and specialty photonics technologies for defense and homeland security applications. EMCORE's Solar Photovoltaics business, which was sold in December 2014, provided products for space power applications including high-efficiency multi-junction solar cells, Covered Interconnect Cells (CICs) and complete satellite solar panels. EMCORE sold certain assets, and transfered certain liabilities, of the Company's telecommunications business, including the ITLA, micro-ITLA, T-TOSA and T-XFP product lines within the Company’s telecommunications business in January 2015. In addition to organic growth and development of our existing Fiber Optics market, we intend to pursue other strategies to enhance shareholder value, which may include acquisitions, investments in joint ventures, partnerships, and other strategic alternatives, such as dispositions, reorganizations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions. Accordingly, the Strategy Committee of the Board and our management may from time to time be engaged in evaluating potential strategic opportunities and may enter into definitive agreements with respect to, such transactions or other strategic alternatives.
	Basis of Presentation
	On September 17, 2014, EMCORE entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Photovoltaics Agreement”) with SolAero Technologies Corporation ("SolAero") (formerly known as Photon Acquisition Corporation) pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell the Photovoltaics Business ("Photovoltaics Asset Sale") for $150.0 million in cash, subject to a working capital adjustment pursuant to the Photovoltaics Agreement. On December 10, 2014, EMCORE completed the Photovoltaics Asset Sale.
	On October 22, 2014, EMCORE entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the "Digital Products Agreement") with NeoPhotonics Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("NeoPhotonics"), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell certain assets, and transfer certain liabilities, of the Company's telecommunications business (collectively, the "Digital Products Business" and, the sale of the Digital Products Business, the "Digital Products Assets Sale") to NeoPhotonics for an aggregate purchase price of $17.5 million, subject to certain adjustments, consisting of $1.5 million in cash at closing and a promissory note in the principal amount of $16.0 million (the "Promissory Note").
	On January 2, 2015, EMCORE and NeoPhotonics entered into Amendment No. 1 (the "APA Amendment") to the Digital Products Agreement dated October 22, 2014. Among other things, the APA Amendment revised the nature and timing of the financial deliverable requirements of the Company to NeoPhotonics under the original Digital Products Agreement. The assets sold pursuant to the Digital Products Agreement included certain fixed assets, inventory and intellectual property for the ITLA, micro-ITLA, T-TOSA and T-XFP product lines within the Company’s telecommunications business. On January 2, 2015, EMCORE completed the sale of the Digital Products Business. On April 16, 2015, EMCORE and NeoPhotonics entered into an agreement to adjust the purchase price resulting in an adjusted balance of the Promissory Note of $15.5 million. On April 17, 2015, NeoPhotonics prepaid the outstanding balance of the Promissory Note, including accrued interest, in the amount of $15.7 million.
	The Photovoltaics Asset Sale and Digital Products Asset Sale are reported as discontinued operations, which require retrospective restatement of prior periods to classify the results of operations as discontinued operations. We have also reclassified the assets and liabilities that were sold within the descriptions "assets of discontinued operations" and "liabilities of discontinued operations" within current and non-current assets and liabilities, respectively, on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2014. No Photovoltaics or Digital Products assets or liabilities remain on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015. The financial results of the Photovoltaics Business and the Digital Products Business are presented as "discontinued operations" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. See also Note 3 - Discontinued Operations. The notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements relate to our continuing operations only, unless otherwise indicated.
	Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, the Company operates as a single reportable segment.
	Interim Financial Statements
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) for interim information, and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements. In our opinion, the interim financial statements reflect all normal adjustments that are necessary to provide a fair presentation of the financial results for the interim periods presented. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for an entire fiscal year. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2014 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of such date as adjusted for discontinued operations. Also see Note 3 - Discontinued Operations. For a more complete understanding of our business, financial position, operating results, cash flows, risk factors and other matters, please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014.
	All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. We are not the primary beneficiary of, nor do we hold a significant variable interest in, any variable interest entity. We have evaluated subsequent events through the date that the financial statements were issued.
	Sale of Fiber Optics-related Assets
	On March 27, 2012, we entered into a Master Purchase Agreement with a subsidiary of Sumitomo Electric Industries, LTD (SEI), pursuant to which we agreed to sell certain assets and transfer certain obligations associated with our Fiber Optics segment. On May 7, 2012, we completed the sale of these assets to SEI and recorded a gain of approximately $2.8 million. Under the terms of the Master Purchase Agreement, we have agreed to indemnify SEI for up to $3.4 million of potential claims and expenses for the two-year period following the sale and we have recorded this amount as a deferred gain on our balance sheet as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 as a result of these contingencies. SEI paid $13.1 million in cash and deposited approximately $2.6 million into escrow as security for indemnification obligations and any purchase price adjustments. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, we resolved the purchase price contingencies resulting in the reduction of the purchase price by $1.1 million. The reduced purchase price is recorded as an offset to the escrow receivable of $2.6 million. There remains a deferred gain of $3.4 million related to our indemnification obligation to SEI and an escrow receivable of $1.5 million as of March 31, 2015 as claims have been made under the Master Purchase Agreement against these balances prior to the end of the indemnification period in May 2014. We are not able to determine at this time the outcome of any potential settlements associated with the remaining claims and as a result have not recorded any related adjustments to the deferred gain amount.
	Liquidity and Capital Resources
	Historically, we have consumed cash from operations and incurred significant net losses. We have managed our liquidity position through a series of cost reduction initiatives, borrowings from our credit facility, capital markets transactions, and the sale of assets.
	As of March 31, 2015, cash and cash equivalents totaled $141.0 million and net working capital totaled approximately $153.8 million. Net working capital, calculated as current assets minus current liabilities, is a financial metric we use which represents available operating liquidity. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, we earned net income of $59.2 million.
	With respect to measures taken to improve liquidity:
	•	Sale of Photovoltaics Business: On December 10, 2014, we completed the sale of our Photovoltaics Business for$150.0 million in cash. These proceeds will provide us with working capital for fiscal year 2015 and beyond.
	•	Sale of Digital Products Business: On January 2, 2015, we completed the sale of our Digital Products Business for $1.5 million in cash and an adjusted Promissory Note balance of $15.5 million. On April 17, 2015, NeoPhotonics prepaid the outstanding balance of the Promissory Note, including accrued interest, in the amount of $15.7 million. The Promissory Note proceeds are not reflected in the cash balances at March 31, 2015.
	•	Credit Facility: On November 11, 2010, we entered into a Credit and Security Agreement (credit facility) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association ("Wells Fargo"). The credit facility, as it has been amended through its sixth amendment, currently provides us with a revolving credit of up to $15.0 million through November 2015 that can be used for working capital requirements, letters of credit, and other general corporate purposes. The credit facility is secured by the Company's assets and is subject to a borrowing base formula based on the Company's eligible accounts receivable, inventory, and machinery and equipment accounts.
	On December 3, 2014, we entered into a Sixth Amendment to the credit facility, pursuant to which Wells Fargo agrees, to automatically release all encumbrances covering certain of the Company’s assets to be sold pursuant to the Photovoltaics Agreement and the Digital Products Agreement. In addition, on December 10, 2014 upon notice to Wells Fargo of the closing of the transaction contemplated by the Photovoltaics Agreement, the maximum borrowing allowed under the credit facility was reduced from $35 million to $15.0 million, and certain other changes to the borrowing base calculations went into effect.
	•	On May 6, 2015, the Company announced that it expects to commence a "Dutch Auction" tender offer to purchase up to approximately $45.0 million of shares of its outstanding common stock. Under the terms of the tender offer, the Company will invite shareholders to tender their shares at prices specified by the tendering shareholders within a range to be specified by the Company in the proposed offer to purchase. The tender offer is expected to commence on May 15, 2015. We expect cash on hand at March 31, 2015 and the proceeds from the Promissory Note to pay for the purchase of the shares.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	There have been no recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements that are of significance, or of potential significance, to us other than those discussed below:
	•	In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2013-05, Foreign Currency Matters. This accounting standard update requires an entity to release into net income the entire amount of a cumulative translation adjustment related to its investment in a foreign entity when as a parent it either sells a part or all of its investment in the foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets within the foreign entity. This accounting standard was implemented for our fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2014 and it had no significant impact on the Company.
	•	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360) Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This standard changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations. Under the accounting standard update, a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results when either it qualifies as held for sale, disposed of by sale, or disposed of other than by sale. In addition, the new guidance requires expanded disclosures about discontinued operations that will provide financial statement users with more information about the assets, liabilities, income, and expenses of discontinued operations. While early adoption is allowed, we have determined that we would not early adopt and as a result this accounting standard update will be effective for our fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2015. We are currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	•	In May 2014, as part of its ongoing efforts to assist in the convergence of U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. Under the new standard, recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The new standard will be effective for us beginning October 1, 2017 and early adoption is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We anticipate this standard will not have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	•	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. The standard provides guidance on determining when and how to disclose going-concern uncertainties in the financial statements. In addition, the standard requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued. The guidance is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. This accounting standard update will be effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	Discontinued Operations
	Sale of Photovoltaics Business
	On September 17, 2014, EMCORE entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Photovoltaics Agreement”) with SolAero pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell the Photovoltaics Business for $150.0 million in cash, subject to a working capital adjustment pursuant to the Photovoltaics Agreement. On December 10, 2014, EMCORE completed the Photovoltaics Asset Sale.
	The financial results of the Photovoltaics Business are reported as discontinued operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In connection with this transaction, we sold net assets of $60.3 million to SolAero and incurred transaction costs of $2.7 million. During the three months ended December 31, 2014, we recognized a gain of $56.8 million, net of tax on the sale of the Photovoltaics Business which is recorded within discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
	We have classified the assets and liabilities that were sold as "assets of discontinued operations" and "liabilities of discontinued operations" within current and non-current assets and liabilities, respectively, on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2014. As of September 30, 2014, the carrying amount of goodwill related to the Photovoltaics Business was $20.4 million and this balance was reclassified to non-current assets of discontinued operations. No Photovoltaics assets and liabilities remain on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015.
	The following table presents the aggregate carrying amounts of the major classes of assets and liabilities related to the Photovoltaics business as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014.
		As of			As of
	(in thousands)	March 31,			September 30,
		2015			2014
	Assets of discontinued operations:
	Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $0	$	—		$	17,827
	Inventory	—			7,203
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—			1,512
	Current assets of discontinued operations	—			26,542
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			26,660
	Goodwill	—			20,384
	Other non-current assets, net	—			254
	Non-current assets of discontinued operations	—			47,298
	Total assets of discontinued operations	$	—		$	73,840
	Liabilities of discontinued operations:
	Accounts payable	$	—		$	4,640
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	—			5,398
	Current liabilities of discontinued operations	—			10,038
	Asset retirement obligations	—			720
	Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations	—			720
	Total liabilities of discontinued operations	$	—		$	10,758
	The following table presents the statements of operations for the discontinued operations of the Photovoltaics Business
	from October 1, 2014 to December 10, 2014 and for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014.
	(in thousands)	For the three months ended March 31,						For the six months ended March 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Revenue	$	—		$	18,627		$	12,614		$	39,546
	Cost of revenue	—			13,836			8,245			27,016
	Gross profit	—			4,791			4,369			12,530
	Operating expense	(272		)	1,749			2,431			3,298
	Other income	—			—			779			—
	Gain on sale of discontinued operations	—			—			87,022			—
	Income from discontinued operations before income tax	272			3,042			89,739			9,232
	Income tax benefit (expense)	277			(1,154		)	(29,926		)	(3,501		)
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	549		$	1,888		$	59,813		$	5,731
	During the first quarter of fiscal 2015, in connection with the liquidation of our Netherlands and Spain subsidiaries in October 2014, we recognized other income within discontinued operations of $0.7 million previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.
	Sale of Digital Products Business
	On October 22, 2014, EMCORE entered into the Digital Products Agreement with NeoPhotonics pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell certain assets, and transferred certain liabilities of the Company's Digital Products Business to NeoPhotonics for an aggregate purchase price of $17.5 million, subject to certain purchase price adjustments, consisting of $1.5 million in cash at closing and a promissory note in the principal amount of $16.0 million (the "Promissory Note"). The Promissory Note bears interest of 5.0% per annum for the first year and 13.0% per annum for the second year, payable semi-annually in cash, and matures two years from the closing of the transaction. In addition, the promissory note is subject to prepayments under certain circumstances, and is secured by certain of the assets sold to NeoPhotonics in the transaction.
	On January 2, 2015, EMCORE and NeoPhotonics entered into APA Amendment. Among other things, the APA Amendment revised the nature and timing of the financial deliverable requirements of the Company to NeoPhotonics under the original Digital Products Agreement. The assets sold pursuant to the Digital Products Agreement included certain fixed assets, inventory and intellectual property for the ITLA, micro-ITLA, T-TOSA and T-XFP product lines within the Company’s telecommunications business. On January 2, 2015, EMCORE completed the sale of the Digital Products Business. On April 16, 2015, EMCORE and NeoPhotonics entered into an agreement to adjust the purchase price resulting in an adjusted balance of the Promissory Note of $15.5 million. On April 17, 2015, NeoPhotonics prepaid the outstanding balance of the Promissory Note, including accrued interest, in the amount of $15.7 million.
	The financial results of the Digital Products Business are reported as discontinued operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. In connection with this transaction, we sold net assets of $13.3 million to NeoPhotonics and incurred transaction costs of $1.6 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we recognized a gain of $2.0 million, on the sale of the Digital Products Business which is recorded within discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
	We have classified the assets and liabilities that were sold within the descriptions "assets of discontinued operations" and "liabilities of discontinued operations" within current and non-current assets and liabilities, respectively, on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2014. No Digital Products assets or liabilities remain on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015.
	The following table presents the aggregate carrying amounts of the major classes of assets and liabilities related to the Digital Products Business as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014.
		As of			As of
	(in thousands)	March 31,			September 30,
		2015			2014
	Assets held for sale:
	Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $0 and $17, respectively	$	—		$	14,268
	Inventory	—			3,225
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—			30
	Current assets of discontinued operations	—			17,523
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			7,881
	Other intangible assets, net	—			1,060
	Non-current assets of discontinued operations	—			8,941
	Total assets of discontinued operations	$	—		$	26,464
	Liabilities held for sale:
	Accounts payable	—			10,848
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	—			38
	Current liabilities of discontinued operations	$	—		$	10,886
	The following table presents the statements of operations for the discontinued operations of the Digital Products Business
	through the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014.
(in thousands)	For the three months ended March 31,						For the six months ended March 31,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Revenue	$	40		$	10,667		$	11,855		$	19,296
Cost of revenue	(1		)	11,490			9,111			20,114
Gross profit	41			(823		)	2,744			(818		)
Operating expense	446			3,362			3,158			6,708
Other income (expense)	—			—			—			—
Gain on sale of discontinued operations	1,994			—			1,994			—
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income tax	1,589			(4,185		)	1,580			(7,526		)
Income tax benefit (expense)	1,870			1,587			1,873			2,854
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	3,459		$	(2,598	)	$	3,453		$	(4,672	)

Fair_Value_Accounting

Fair Value Accounting	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Accounting	Fair Value Accounting
	ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, establishes a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. This standard describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value:
	•	Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	•	Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
	•	Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value.
	A financial asset or liability's classification within this hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
	Valuation techniques used to measure fair value under ASC 820 must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The following table lists our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
	Fair Value Measurement
	(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2	Level 3
		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Remaining Inputs	Significant Unobservable Inputs	Total
	As of March 31, 2015
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	140,965	—	—	$	140,965
	Restricted cash	168		—	—	168
	Note receivable	—		—	15,482	15,482
	Liabilities:
	Warrant liability	—		—	—	—
	As of September 30, 2014
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	20,687	—	—	$	20,687
	Restricted cash	1,482		—	—	1,482
	Liabilities:
	Warrant liability	—		122	—	122
	Cash consists primarily of bank deposits or, occasionally, highly liquid short-term investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase.
	Restricted cash represents temporarily restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements.
	Note receivable: As partial consideration for the Digital Products Asset Sale pursuant to the Digital Products Agreement, the Company received a promissory note from Neophotonics in the principal amount of $16.0 million. The Promissory Note bears interest of 5.0% per annum for the first year and 13.0% per annum for the second year, payable semi-annually in cash, and matures two years from the closing of the transaction on January 2, 2015. On April 16, 2015, Emcore and NeoPhotonics entered into an agreement to adjust the purchase price resulting in an adjusted balance of the Promissory Note of $15.5 million. On April 17, 2015, NeoPhotonics prepaid the balance outstanding of the Promissory Note, including accrued interest, in the amount of $15.7 million. Also see Note 3 - Discontinued Operations.
	As of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, warrants with an expiration date of April 1, 2015 representing the right to purchase 400,001 shares of our common stock were outstanding. All of our warrants met the classification requirements for liability accounting pursuant to ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Each quarter, we expect an impact on our statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) when we record the change in fair value of our outstanding warrants using the Monte Carlo option valuation model. The Monte Carlo option valuation model is used since it allows the valuation of each warrant to factor in the value associated with our right to effect a mandatory exercise of each warrant. The valuation model requires the input of subjective assumptions, including the warrant's expected life and the price volatility of the underlying stock. The change in the fair value of our warrants has been primarily due to the change in the closing price of our common stock.
	The carrying amounts of accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets, borrowings from our credit facility, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Accounts_Receivable

Accounts Receivable	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable
	The components of accounts receivable consisted of the following:
		As of			As of
	(in thousands)	March 31,			September 30, 2014
		2015
	Accounts receivable, gross	$	17,523		$	12,885
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	(413		)	(116		)
	Accounts receivable, net	$	17,110		$	12,769
	The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the age of receivables and a specific identification of receivables considered at risk of collection.

Inventory

Inventory	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory	Inventory
	The components of inventory consisted of the following:
		As of		As of
	(in thousands)	March 31,		September 30, 2014
		2015
	Raw materials	$	7,092	$	7,255
	Work in-process	4,577		4,403
	Finished goods	3,832		3,986
	Inventory	$	15,501	$	15,644

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_n

Property, Plant, and Equipment, net	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant, and Equipment, net	Property, Plant, and Equipment, net
	The components of property, plant, and equipment, net consisted of the following:
		As of		As of
	(in thousands)	March 31,		September 30, 2014
		2015
	Equipment	$	6,776	$	7,328
	Furniture and fixtures	34		42
	Computer hardware and software	629		749
	Leasehold improvements	347		2,278
	Construction in progress	190		49
	Property, plant, and equipment, net	$	7,976	$	10,446
	During the quarter ended December 31, 2014, as a result of a revision in the estimated amount of cash flows for asset retirement obligations ("ARO") relating to the extension of the Alhambra facility leases and changes in the required restoration efforts, the Company reduced its ARO liability by $2.9 million with an offsetting reduction to leasehold improvements of $2.1 million, and recorded a gain from change in estimate on ARO obligation of $0.8 million. Also see Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies.
	As of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, accumulated depreciation was approximately $22.6 million and $21.5 million, respectively.

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Intangible Assets	Intangible Assets
	The following table sets forth the carrying value of intangible assets:
	(in thousands)		As of March 31, 2015							As of September 30, 2014
			Gross		Accumulated			Net		Gross Assets		Accumulated			Net
			Assets		Amortization			Assets				Amortization			Assets
	Fiber Optics:
	Patents		3,274		(3,204		)	70		4,697		(4,615		)	82
	Total		$	3,274	$	(3,204	)	$	70	$	4,697	$	(4,615	)	$	82
	Amortization expense related to intangible assets is included in selling, general, and administrative expense on our statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Based on the carrying amount of our intangible assets as of March 31, 2015, the estimated future amortization expense is as follows:
	Estimated Future Amortization Expense
	(in thousands)
	Six months ending September 30, 2015	$	12
	Fiscal year ending September 30, 2016	25
	Fiscal year ending September 30, 2017	33
	Fiscal year ending September 30, 2018	—
	Fiscal year ending September 30, 2019 and thereafter	—
	Total	$	70

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
	The components of accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following:
		As of			As of
	(in thousands)	March 31,			September 30, 2014
		2015
	Compensation	$	2,787		$	1,797
	Warranty	1,723			2,285
	Termination fee	2,775			2,775
	Professional fees	534			2,181
	Customer deposits	499			593
	Deferred revenue	313			97
	Self insurance	875			1,470
	Income and other taxes	3,080			1,433
	Loss on sale contracts	—			119
	Severance and restructuring accruals	2,309			1,317
	Loss on inventory purchase commitments	—			306
	Other	1,081			836
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	15,976		$	15,209
	Professional Fees: As of September 30, 2014, professional fees included transaction costs of $1.8 million associated with the sale of the Photovoltaics Business.
	Income and other taxes: For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company reported $0.4 million of income tax benefit from continuing operations losses and $2.1 million of income tax benefit within income from discontinued operations. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, the Company reported $2.3 million of income tax benefit from continuing operations losses and $28.1 million of income tax expense within income from discontinued operations. The income tax expense within discontinued operations includes estimated alternative minimum tax and other adjustments prescribed by ASC 740 in allocating expected annual income tax expense (benefit) between continuing operations and discontinued operations.
	During the quarter ended December 31, 2014, the Company utilized $24.1 million of deferred tax assets. The Company expects to make a payment for alternative minimum taxes and the remaining income tax expense will be offset mainly through utilization of $24.1 million of deferred tax assets and net operating loss carry forwards. Also see Note 11 - Income and other Taxes.
	Severance and restructuring accruals: On November 15, 2013, Mr. Chris Larocca proposed to resign as the Company's Chief Operating Officer, effective as of November 30, 2013. The Company recorded a charge of $0.5 million in the six months ended March 31, 2014 related to the separation agreement entered into as part of Mr. Larocca's resignation.
	On September 17, 2014, Dr. Hong Q. Hou announced he would resign as the Company's Chief Executive Officer, effective as of January 2, 2015 or, if later, fifteen days following the date on which the Company hires a successor Chief Executive Officer (the “Separation Date”). The Company and Dr. Hou entered into a separation agreement and general release, dated September 17, 2014 (Dr. Hou 's Separation Agreement), which includes mutual releases by Dr. Hou and the Company of all claims related to Dr. Hou's employment and service relationship with, and termination of employment and service from, the Company. The separation agreement provides for among other things, the continuation of his base salary for 86 weeks, benefits for 18 months, outplacement services for a period of not more than one year and with a value not in excess of $15,000 and immediate vesting of all his outstanding non-vested equity awards. These payments are not contingent upon any future service by Dr. Hou. The Company recorded a charge of approximately $0.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014 related to Dr. Hou's Separation Agreement.
	On December 10, 2014, Monica Van Berkel announced she would resign as the Company's Chief Administrative Officer, effective as of January 2, 2015 (the “Separation Date”). The Company and Ms. Van Berkel entered into a separation agreement and general release, dated December 10, 2014 (Ms. Van Berkel 's Separation Agreement), which includes mutual releases by Ms. Van Berkel and the Company of all claims related to Ms. Van Berkel's employment and service relationship with, and termination of employment and service from, the Company. The separation agreement provides for among other things, the continuation of her base salary for 74 weeks, benefits for 18 months, outplacement services for a period of not more than one year and with a value not in excess of $15,000 and immediate vesting of all her outstanding non-vested equity awards. These payments are not contingent upon any future service by Ms. Van Berkel. The Company recorded a charge of approximately $0.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 related to Ms. Van Berkel's Separation Agreement.
	On December 10, 2014, Alfredo Gomez announced he would resign as the Company's General Counsel and Secretary, effective as of February 13, 2015 or, if later, following the date on which the Company hires a successor in-house counsel (the “Separation Date”). The Company and Mr. Gomez entered into a separation agreement and general release, dated December 10, 2014 (Mr. Gomez's Separation Agreement), which includes mutual releases by Mr. Gomez and the Company of all claims related to Mr. Gomez's employment and service relationship with, and termination of employment and service from, the Company. The separation agreement provides for among other things, the continuation of his base salary for 68 weeks, benefits for 18 months outplacement services for a period of not more than one year and with a value not in excess of $15,000 and immediate vesting of all his outstanding non-vested equity awards. These payments are not contingent upon any future service by Mr. Gomez. The Company recorded a charge of approximately $0.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 related to Mr. Gomez's Separation Agreement.
	In connection with the closing of the sale of the Digital Products Business, we accrued for the remaining lease costs of our Newark, California facility through the lease termination of May 2016. Included in the discontinued operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, was $0.7 million related for the remaining lease costs.
	Our severance and restructuring-related accruals specifically relates to the Separation Agreements and non-cancelable obligations associated with an abandoned leased facility. Expense related to severance and restructuring accruals is included in selling, general, and administrative expense on our statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The following table summarizes the changes in the severance and restructuring-related accrual accounts:
	(in thousands)	Severance-related accruals			Restructuring- related accruals			Total
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	1,317		$	—		$	1,317
	Expense - charged to accrual	1,087			737			1,824
	Payments and accrual adjustments	(647		)	(93		)	(740		)
	Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	1,757		$	644		$	2,401
	Current portion	$	1,757		$	552		$	2,309
	Non-current portion	—			92			92
	Severance and restructuring accruals at end of period	$	1,757		$	644		$	2,401
	Warranty: We generally provide product and other warranties on our components, power systems, and fiber optic products, in addition to certain already divested product lines where we retained the warranty obligations. Certain parts and labor warranties from our vendors can be assigned to our customers. Our reported financial position or results of operations may be materially different under changed conditions or when using different estimates and assumptions. In the event that estimates or assumptions prove to differ from actual results, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information.
	The following table summarizes the changes in our product warranty accrual accounts:
	Product Warranty Accruals	For the three months ended March 31,						For the Six Months Ended March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
	Balance at beginning of period	$	2,435		$	3,663		$	2,816		$	3,881
	Provision for product warranty - expense	113			1,296			515			1,296
	Adjustments and utilization of warranty accrual	(624		)	(230		)	(1,407		)	(448		)
	Balance at end of period	$	1,924		$	4,729		$	1,924		$	4,729
	Current portion	$	1,723		$	4,198		$	1,723		$	4,198
	Non-current portion	201			531			201			531
	Product warranty liability at end of period	$	1,924		$	4,729		$	1,924		$	4,729

Credit_Facilities

Credit Facilities	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Credit Facilities	Credit Facilities
	On November 11, 2010, we entered into a Credit and Security Agreement (credit facility) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association ("Wells Fargo"). The credit facility is secured by the Company's assets and is subject to a borrowing base formula based on the Company's eligible accounts receivable, inventory, and machinery and equipment accounts.
	On December 3, 2014, we entered into a Sixth Amendment to the credit facility, pursuant to which Wells Fargo agreed, to automatically release all encumbrances covering certain of the Company’s assets to be sold pursuant to the Photovoltaics Agreement and the Digital Products Agreement. In addition, on December 10, 2014, upon notice to Wells Fargo of the closing of the transaction contemplated by the Photovoltaics Agreement, the maximum borrowing allowed under the credit facility was reduced from $35.0 million to $15.0 million, and certain other changes to the borrowing base calculations went into effect.
	As of March 31, 2015, there was no outstanding balance under this credit facility with an interest rate of 3.3% and approximately $1.4 million reserved for five stand-by letters of credit under the credit facility.

Income_and_other_Taxes

Income and other Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income and other Taxes	Income and other Taxes
	At September 30, 2014, the Company determined that it was more likely than not that certain deferred tax assets would be realized upon the sale of the Photovoltaic Business in fiscal year 2015. As a result, a net deferred tax valuation allowance release of $24.1 million was recorded as an income tax benefit during fiscal year 2014. The sale of the Photovoltaic Business closed on December 10, 2014 and the Company realized a gain on the transaction.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company reported $0.4 million of income tax benefit from continuing operations losses and $2.1 million of income tax benefit within income from discontinued operations. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, the Company reported $2.3 million of income tax benefit from continuing operations losses and $28.1 million of income tax expense within income from discontinued operations. The income tax expense within discontinued operations includes estimated alternative minimum tax and other adjustments prescribed by ASC 740 in allocating expected annual income tax expense (benefit) between continuing operations and discontinued operations.
	During the six months ended March 31, 2015, the Company utilized $24.1 million of deferred tax assets. An income tax benefit will be recorded on anticipated losses from continuing operations incurred during the remaining quarters of fiscal 2015. The Company expects to make a payment for alternative minimum taxes and the remaining income tax expense will be offset mainly through utilization of $24.1 million of deferred tax assets and utilization of net operating loss carry forwards.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company reported $0.4 million of income tax expense from losses from continuing operations and $0.4 million of income tax benefit within income from discontinued operations. For the six months ended March 31, 2014, the Company reported $0.6 million of income tax benefit from losses from continuing operations and $0.6 million of income tax expense within income from discontinued operations.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the effective tax rate was 29.3%, compared to (10.1)% for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The higher tax rate for March 31, 2015 is primarily due to the methodology used for allocating income tax expense between continuing and discontinued operations under ASC 740. For the six months ended March 31, 2015, the effective tax rate on continuing operations was 36.1%, compared to 7.0% for the six months ended March 31, 2014 primarily due to the benefit of the loss from operations in 2015. In determining the effective tax rate, the Company uses estimates to forecast the results from continuing operations for the current fiscal year as well as permanent differences between book and tax accounting. The Company believes its forecast of losses from continuing operations is a reasonable estimate. Actual results from continuing operations may differ significantly from the estimates previously forecasted, resulting in significant changes from one period to the next in the tax expense or benefit from continuing operations being recognized.
	The Company expects all remaining deferred tax assets will have a full valuation allowance at September 30, 2015. However, on a quarterly basis, the Company will evaluate the positive and negative evidence to assess whether the more likely than not criterion, mandated by ASC 740, has been satisfied in determining whether there will be further adjustments to the valuation allowance.
	During the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no material increases or decreases in unrecognized tax benefits and we do not anticipate any material increases or decreases in the amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for the remainder of fiscal year 2015. As of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, we had approximately $476,000 and $445,000, respectively, of interest and penalties accrued as tax liabilities on our balance sheet.
	We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal, state, and local jurisdictions. The Company's September 30, 2012, federal return was under examination by the Internal Revenue Service. The examination was completed in April 2015 and the Company was notified there were no changes to the originally filed return. There are no state income tax returns under examination. The following tax years remain open to assessment for each of the more significant jurisdictions where we are subject to income taxes: after fiscal year 2010 for the U.S. federal and the State of New Mexico, and after fiscal year 2009 for the state of California.
	Included in operating income for the six months ended March 31, 2014 were $0.6 million of New Mexico incentive tax credits received. The amount received was allocated to cost of goods sold, selling, general and administrative and research and development expense primarily based on the number of employees allocated to the related departments. These credits resulted in cash refunds and a reduction of future payroll and compensation taxes. There were no incentive tax credits received during the three and six months ended March 31, 2015.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	Operating Lease Obligations: We lease certain land, facilities, and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. Operating lease amounts exclude renewal option periods, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance expenses on leased properties. Our facility leases typically provide for rental adjustments for increases in base rent (up to specific limits), property taxes, insurance, and general property maintenance that would be recorded as rent expense. Rent expense was approximately $0.3 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively and approximately $0.7 million and $0.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  There are no off-balance sheet arrangements other than our operating leases.
	Asset Retirement Obligations ("ARO"): We have known conditional asset retirement conditions, such as certain asset decommissioning and restoration of rented facilities to be performed in the future. Our asset retirement obligations include assumptions related to renewal option periods for those facilities where we expect to extend lease terms. The Company recognizes its estimate of the fair value of its asset retirement obligations in the period incurred in long-term liabilities. The fair value of the asset retirement obligations is also capitalized as property, plant and equipment.
	In future periods, the asset retirement obligation is accreted for the change in its present value and capitalized costs are depreciated over the useful life of the related assets. If the fair value of the estimated asset retirement obligation changes, an adjustment will be recorded to both the asset retirement obligation and the asset retirement capitalized cost. Revisions in estimated liabilities can result from revisions of estimated inflation rates, changes in estimated retirement costs, and changes in the estimated timing of settling asset retirement obligations. The fair value of our asset retirement obligations were estimated by discounting projected cash flows over the estimated life of the related assets using credit adjusted risk-free rates which ranged from 3.25% to 5.78%. There were no asset retirement obligations settled during the three and six months ended March 31, 2015, and 2014. Accretion expense of $52,000 and $41,000 was recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2015, and 2014, respectively. Accretion expense of $67,000 and $85,000 was recorded during the six months ended March 31, 2015, and 2014, respectively.
	EMCORE leases a major facility in Alhambra, California covering six buildings where manufacturing, research and development, and general and administrative work is provided. Several leases related to these facilities, which expired in 2011, were being maintained on a month-to-month basis. In November 2014, a new lease for four of the six buildings was signed which was retroactively effective on October 1, 2014. The new lease extended the terms of the lease for three years plus a three year option to extend the lease and clarified the obligations and restoration work necessary to restore the buildings back to the requirements in the lease.
	The Company’s asset retirement obligation consists of legal requirements to return the existing leased facilities to prescribed state and certain environmental work to be performed due to the presence of a manufacturing fabrication operation and significant changes to the facilities over the past thirty years. EMCORE had estimated a significant asset retirement obligation associated with this site.
	During the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company completed an analysis of the new Alhambra lease and revised its estimated future cash flows of its asset retirement obligations. The analysis required estimating the probability or likelihood that the Company will be required to remove certain infrastructure and restore the leased properties as set forth in the new lease, and the timing and amount of those future costs. The analysis resulted in the downward revision of the Company’s asset retirement obligation liability. This change in the estimated cash flows resulted in a reduction in the asset retirement obligations liability by $2.9 million with an offsetting reduction to property, plant, and equipment of $2.1 million, and a gain from change in estimate of ARO obligation of $0.8 million. The Company first reduced the net leasehold improvement asset to the extent of the carrying amount of the related asset initially recorded when the asset retirement obligations were established. The amount of the remaining reduction to the asset retirement obligations was recorded as a reduction to operating expenses.
	The following table summarizes asset retirement obligations activity.
	Asset Retirement Obligations	March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	5,263
	Asset retirement obligations reclassified to liabilities of discontinued operations	(720		)
	Subtotal	4,543
	Accretion expense	67
	Revision in estimated cash flows	$	(2,879	)
	Balance at end of period	$	1,731
	Indemnifications: We have agreed to indemnify certain customers against claims of infringement of the intellectual property rights of others in our sales contracts with these customers. Historically, we have not paid any claims under these indemnification obligations. On September 19, 2013, we received written notice from a customer of our broadband products requesting indemnification relating to a lawsuit brought against them alleging patent infringement of a system incorporating our product. As of March 31, 2015, there has been no resolution to this claim.
	In March 2012, we entered into a Master Purchase Agreement with SEI, pursuant to which we agreed to sell certain assets and transfer certain obligations associated with our Fiber Optics segment. Under the terms of the Master Purchase Agreement, we have agreed to indemnify SEI for up to $3.4 million of potential claims and expenses for the two-year period following the sale and we recorded this amount as a deferred gain on our balance sheet as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014 as a result of these contingencies. In April 2013, May 2013 and May 2014, we received letters from SEI asserting indemnification claims under the Master Purchase Agreement. As of March 31, 2015, there has been no resolution to these claims. See Note 1 - Description of Business for additional disclosures related to this asset sale and below for additional disclosures related to the claims.
	Legal Proceedings: We are subject to various legal proceedings, claims, and litigation, either asserted or unasserted that arise in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these matters is currently not determinable, we do not expect the resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. However, the results of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty. Professional legal fees are expensed when incurred. We accrue for contingent losses when such losses are probable and reasonably estimable. In the event that estimates or assumptions prove to differ from actual results, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information. Should we fail to prevail in any legal matter or should several legal matters be resolved against the Company in the same reporting period, then the financial results of that particular reporting period could be materially affected.
	a) Intellectual Property Lawsuits
	We protect our proprietary technology by applying for patents where appropriate and, in other cases, by preserving the technology, related know-how and information as trade secrets. The success and competitive position of our product lines are impacted by our ability to obtain intellectual property protection for our research and development efforts. We have, from time to time, exchanged correspondence with third parties regarding the assertion of patent or other intellectual property rights in connection with certain of our products and processes.
	b) Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd. ("SEI")
	On September 23, 2014, SEI, filed for arbitration against EMCORE, as required under the Master Purchase Agreement between the parties (the "MPA"). SEI seeks $40.0 million from EMCORE, relating to claims for quality issues, expenses related to subpoenas issued in litigation against a vendor and customers of SEDU, a claim that EMCORE made fraudulent or negligent misrepresentations to SEI in the Master Purchase Agreement, and other breach of contract claims. We believe that the claims in this matter are without merit and we intend to defend ourselves vigorously against them. However, because the matter is in a preliminary stage, we cannot be certain as to its outcome, or that an adverse decision in such action will be reached and would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operation or cash flows. On November 14, 2014, EMCORE answered SEI’s complaint and asserted several legal defenses.

Equity

Equity	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Equity	Equity
	Equity Plans
	We provide long-term incentives to eligible officers, directors, and employees in the form of equity-based awards.  We maintain three equity incentive compensation plans, collectively described below as our Equity Plans:
	•	the 2000 Stock Option Plan (2000 Plan),
	•	the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (2010 Equity Plan),
	•	the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (2012 Equity Plan).
	We issue new shares of common stock to satisfy awards issued under our Equity Plans.
	Stock Options
	Most of our stock options vest and become exercisable over a four to five year period and have a contractual life of 10 years. Certain stock options awarded are intended to qualify as incentive stock options pursuant to Section 422A of the Internal Revenue Code.
	The following table summarizes stock option activity under the Equity Plans for the six months ended March 31, 2015:
		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (*) (in thousands)
							Remaining Contractual Life
							(in years)
	Outstanding as of September 30, 2014	1,431,190			$19.06
	Granted	9,650			$5.34
	Exercised	(123,387	)		$4.54				$	95
	Forfeited	(8,027	)		$5.12
	Expired	(79,503	)		$17.27
	Outstanding as of March 31, 2015	1,229,923			$20.62		2.08		$	265
	Exercisable as of March 31, 2015	1,210,320			$20.86		1.97		$	258
	Vested and expected to vest as of March 31, 2015	1,226,293			$20.66		2.06		$	264
	(*) Intrinsic value for stock options represents the “in-the-money” portion or the positive variance between a stock option's exercise price and the underlying stock price. For the six months ended March 31, 2014, the intrinsic value of options exercised was $4,000.
	As of March 31, 2015, there was approximately $0.2 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, related to non-vested stock options granted under the Equity Plans which is expected to be recognized over an estimated weighted average life of 3.3 years.
	Valuation Assumptions
	The fair value of each stock option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model, adhering to the straight-line attribution approach using the following weighted-average assumptions, of which the expected term and stock price volatility rate are highly subjective:
		For the Three Months Ended March 31,							For the Six Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014				2015				2014
	Black-Scholes weighted average assumptions:
	Expected dividend rate	—	%		—		%		—		%		—		%
	Expected stock price volatility rate	72.7	%		93.4		%		76		%		93.8		%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.7	%		1.9		%		1.8		%		1.9		%
	Expected term (in years)	6			6				6				6
	Weighted average grant date fair value per share of stock options granted:	$3.51			$	3.76			$	3.55			$	3.79
	Restricted Stock
	Restricted stock units (RSUs) granted under the 2010 Equity Plan and 2012 Equity Plan typically vest over 3 years and are subject to forfeiture if employment terminates prior to the lapse of the restrictions. RSUs are not considered issued or outstanding common stock until they vest.
	The following table summarizes the activity related to RSUs for the six months ended March 31, 2015:
	Restricted Stock Activity		Restricted Stock Units
			Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Non-vested as of September 30, 2014		966,579			$4.71
	Granted		507,400			$5.36
	Vested		(838,827	)		$4.75
	Forfeited		(41,949	)		$4.86
	Non-vested as of March 31, 2015		593,203			$5.20
	As of March 31, 2015, there was approximately $2.7 million of remaining unamortized stock-based compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, associated with RSUs, which will be expensed over a weighted average remaining service period of approximately 2.5 years. The 0.6 million outstanding non-vested RSUs have an aggregate intrinsic value of approximately $3.2 million and a weighted average remaining contractual term of 1.6 years. For the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the intrinsic value of RSUs vested was $4.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively. Of the 0.6 million outstanding non-vested RSUs, approximately 0.5 million are expected to vest and have an aggregate intrinsic value of approximately $3.0 million and a weighted average remaining contractual term of 1.6 years. For the six months ended March 31, 2014, the weighted average grant date fair value of RSUs granted was $4.89.
	On December 10, 2014, in connection with the sale of the Photovoltaics Business and the change in control, 0.3 million RSU's vested.
	Stock-based compensation
	The effect of recording stock-based compensation expense was as follows:
	Stock-based Compensation Expense - by award type	For the three months ended March 31,								For the six months ended March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015				2014				2015				2014
	Employee stock options	$	7			$	29			$	184			$	78
	Restricted stock awards and units	797				424				2,056				918
	Employee stock purchase plan	14				75				64				163
	401(k) match in common stock	144				125				224				203
	Outside director fees in common stock	72				85				280				195
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	1,034			$	738			$	2,808			$	1,557
	Stock-based Compensation Expense - by expense type	For the three months ended March 31,								For the six months ended March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015				2014				2015				2014
	Cost of revenue	$	81			$	117			$	185			$	226
	Selling, general, and administrative	849				457				2,414				1,010
	Research and development	104				164				209				321
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	1,034			$	738			$	2,808			$	1,557
	The stock based compensation expense above relates to continuing operations. Included within discontinued operations is $0.1 million and $0.4 million of stock based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Included within discontinued operations is $0.9 million and $0.7 million of stock based compensation expense for the six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. respectively.
	Income (Loss) Per Share
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:
Basic and Diluted Net (Loss) Income Per Share		For the Three Months Ended March 31,								For the Six Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share)		2015				2014				2015				2014
Numerator
Loss from continuing operations		$	(956	)		$	(4,722	)		$	(4,086	)		$	(8,545	)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		4,008				(710		)		63,266				1,059
Total		3,052				(5,432		)		59,180				(7,486		)
Undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders for basic net income (loss) per share		$	3,052			$	(5,432	)		$	59,180			$	(7,486	)
Undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders for diluted net income (loss) per share		$	3,052			$	(5,432	)		$	59,180			$	(7,486	)
Denominator:
Denominator for basic net income (loss) per share - weighted average shares outstanding		32,077				30,392				31,640				30,162
Dilutive options outstanding, unvested stock units and ESPP		—				—				—				—
Denominator for diluted net income (loss) per share - adjusted weighted average shares outstanding		32,077				30,392				31,640				30,162
Net income (loss) per basic and diluted shares:
Continuing operations		$	(0.03	)		$	(0.16	)		$	(0.13	)		$	(0.28	)
Discontinued operations		0.13				(0.02		)		2				0.03
Net income (loss) per basic share		$	0.1			$	(0.18	)		$	1.87			$	(0.25	)
Weighted average antidilutive options, unvested restricted stock units and awards, warrants and ESPP shares excluded from the computation		2,214				3,028				2,434				2,653
Average market price of common stock		$	5.34			$	4.96			$	5.32			$	5
The antidilutive stock options, unvested stock and warrants were excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share due to the assumed proceeds from the award’s exercise or vesting being greater than the average market price of the common shares or due to the Company incurring a net loss for the periods presented.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
We maintain an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) that provides employees an opportunity to purchase common stock through payroll deductions. The ESPP is a 6-month duration plan with new participation periods beginning on February 25 and August 26 of each year. The purchase price is set at 85% of the average high and low market price of our common stock on either the first or last day of the participation period, whichever is lower, and contributions are limited to the lower of 10% of an employee's compensation or $25,000.
Future Issuances
As of March 31, 2015, we had common stock reserved for the following future issuances:
Future Issuances	Number of Common Stock Shares Available for Future Issuances
Exercise of outstanding stock options	1,229,923
Unvested restricted stock units	593,203
Purchases under the employee stock purchase plan	1,020,874
Issuance of stock-based awards under the Equity Plans	612,707
Exercise of outstanding warrants	400,001
Purchases under the officer and director share purchase plan	88,741
Total reserved	3,945,449

Geographical_Information

Geographical Information	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Geographical Information	Geographical Information
	Following the sale of the Photovoltaics Business on December 10, 2014, the Company has one remaining reportable segment: Fiber Optics. See also Note 3 - Discontinued Operations for additional disclosures.
	EMCORE's Fiber Optics business provides optical components, subsystems and systems for high-speed telecommunications, Cable Television (CATV), Wireless and Fiber-To-The-Premises (FTTP) networks, as well as products for satellite communications, video transport and specialty photonics technologies for defense and homeland security applications.
	On October 22, 2014, EMCORE entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the "Digital Products Agreement") with NeoPhotonics Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("NeoPhotonics") pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell certain assets, and transferred certain liabilities of the Company's telecommunications business (collectively, the "Digital Products Business" and, the sale of the Digital Products Business and the "Digital Products Assets Sale") to NeoPhotonics for an aggregate purchase price of $17.5 million, subject to certain purchase price adjustments. On January 2, 2015, EMCORE completed the sale of the Digital Products Business.
	The financial results of the Photovoltaics and Digital Products Businesses are presented as "discontinued operations" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014; and the assets and liabilities of the Photovoltaics and Digital Products Businesses are presented as "Assets of discontinued operations" and "Liabilities of discontinued operations" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014. No Photovoltaics or Digital Products assets and liabilities remain on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015.
	We evaluate our reportable segments pursuant to ASC 280, Segment Reporting. The Company's Chief Executive Officer is the chief operating decision maker and he assesses the performance of the operating segments and allocates resources to segments based on their business prospects, competitive factors, net revenue, operating results, and other non-GAAP financial ratios. Based on this evaluation, the Company operates as a single reportable segment.
	Revenue: The following tables set forth revenue by geographic region with revenue assigned to geographic regions based on our customers’ billing address and excludes the discontinued operations discussed above.
	Revenue by Geographic Region	For the three months ended March 31,				For the six months ended March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
	United States	$	13,063	$	8,149	$	26,413	$	18,593
	Asia	3,901		2,811		6,598		4,979
	Europe	1,950		1,847		$	4,027	3,511
	Other	143		146		435		533
	Total revenue	$	19,057	$	12,953	$	37,473	$	27,616
	Significant Customers: Significant customers are defined as customers representing greater than 10% of our consolidated revenue. Revenue from three of our customers represented 54% of our consolidated revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and revenue from four of our customers represented 62% of our consolidated revenue for the six months ended March 31, 2015. Revenue from three of our customers represented 38% of our consolidated revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and revenue from three of our customers represented 40% of our consolidated revenue for the six months ended March 31, 2014.
	Long-lived Assets: Long-lived assets consist primarily of property, plant, and equipment and also intangible assets. Long-lived assets that were disposed of as the result of the Photovoltaics and Digital Products Asset Sales were included in "Assets of discontinued operations" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2014, and accordingly, are not included in the following table.
	Long-lived Assets	As of		As of
	(in thousands)	March 31, 2015		September 30, 2014
	United States	$	2,911	$	4,997
	International	5,644		5,531
	Long-lived assets	$	8,555	$	10,528
	As of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014, approximately 34% and 47%, respectively, of our long-lived assets were located in the United States. The remaining assets are primarily located in China. During the first quarter of fiscal 2015, as a result of the revision in the estimated amount and timing of cash flows for asset retirement obligations in the United States, the Company reduced its asset retirement obligations liability by $2.9 million with an offsetting reduction to property, plant, and equipment of $2.1 million, and recorded a gain from the change in estimate on ARO obligation of $0.8 million. See Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies for additional information.

Subsequent_Event

Subsequent Event	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	Subsequent Events
	Note Receivable Adjustment and Repayment of Note Receivable
	On April 16, 2015, Emcore and NeoPhotonics entered into an agreement to adjust the purchase price on the sale of the Digital Products Business resulting in an adjusted balance of the Promissory Note of $15.5 million. On April 17, 2015, NeoPhotonics prepaid the balance outstanding of the Promissory Note, including accrued interest, in the amount of $15.7 million.
	Planned Tender Offer
	On May 6, 2015, the Company announced that it expects to commence a "Dutch Auction" tender offer to purchase up to approximately $45.0 million of shares of its outstanding common stock. Under the terms of the tender offer, the Company will invite shareholders to tender their shares at prices specified by the tendering shareholders within a range to be specified by the Company in the proposed offer to purchase. The tender offer is expected to commence on May 15, 2015.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen1

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	There have been no recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements that are of significance, or of potential significance, to us other than those discussed below:
	•	In March 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2013-05, Foreign Currency Matters. This accounting standard update requires an entity to release into net income the entire amount of a cumulative translation adjustment related to its investment in a foreign entity when as a parent it either sells a part or all of its investment in the foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets within the foreign entity. This accounting standard was implemented for our fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2014 and it had no significant impact on the Company.
	•	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360) Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This standard changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations. Under the accounting standard update, a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results when either it qualifies as held for sale, disposed of by sale, or disposed of other than by sale. In addition, the new guidance requires expanded disclosures about discontinued operations that will provide financial statement users with more information about the assets, liabilities, income, and expenses of discontinued operations. While early adoption is allowed, we have determined that we would not early adopt and as a result this accounting standard update will be effective for our fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2015. We are currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	•	In May 2014, as part of its ongoing efforts to assist in the convergence of U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. Under the new standard, recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The new standard will be effective for us beginning October 1, 2017 and early adoption is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We anticipate this standard will not have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	•	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. The standard provides guidance on determining when and how to disclose going-concern uncertainties in the financial statements. In addition, the standard requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued. The guidance is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. This accounting standard update will be effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, establishes a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. This standard describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value:
	•	Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	•	Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
	•	Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value.
	A financial asset or liability's classification within this hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
	Valuation techniques used to measure fair value under ASC 820 must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash consists primarily of bank deposits or, occasionally, highly liquid short-term investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase.
Restricted Cash	Restricted cash represents temporarily restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements.
Derivatives	All of our warrants met the classification requirements for liability accounting pursuant to ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging.
Receivables	The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the age of receivables and a specific identification of receivables considered at risk of collection.
Severance and Restructuring Accruals	Expense related to severance and restructuring accruals is included in selling, general, and administrative expense on our statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Asset Retirement Obligations	We have known conditional asset retirement conditions, such as certain asset decommissioning and restoration of rented facilities to be performed in the future. Our asset retirement obligations include assumptions related to renewal option periods for those facilities where we expect to extend lease terms. The Company recognizes its estimate of the fair value of its asset retirement obligations in the period incurred in long-term liabilities. The fair value of the asset retirement obligations is also capitalized as property, plant and equipment.
	In future periods, the asset retirement obligation is accreted for the change in its present value and capitalized costs are depreciated over the useful life of the related assets. If the fair value of the estimated asset retirement obligation changes, an adjustment will be recorded to both the asset retirement obligation and the asset retirement capitalized cost. Revisions in estimated liabilities can result from revisions of estimated inflation rates, changes in estimated retirement costs, and changes in the estimated timing of settling asset retirement obligations.
Legal Proceedings	Professional legal fees are expensed when incurred. We accrue for contingent losses when such losses are probable and reasonably estimable.
Segment Reporting	We evaluate our reportable segments pursuant to ASC 280, Segment Reporting. The Company's Chief Executive Officer is the chief operating decision maker and he assesses the performance of the operating segments and allocates resources to segments based on their business prospects, competitive factors, net revenue, operating results, and other non-GAAP financial ratios. Based on this evaluation, the Company operates as a single reportable segment.

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Photovoltaics Business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Schedule of Discontinued Operations, Balance Sheet and Income Statement	The following table presents the statements of operations for the discontinued operations of the Photovoltaics Business
	from October 1, 2014 to December 10, 2014 and for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014.
	(in thousands)	For the three months ended March 31,						For the six months ended March 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Revenue	$	—		$	18,627		$	12,614		$	39,546
	Cost of revenue	—			13,836			8,245			27,016
	Gross profit	—			4,791			4,369			12,530
	Operating expense	(272		)	1,749			2,431			3,298
	Other income	—			—			779			—
	Gain on sale of discontinued operations	—			—			87,022			—
	Income from discontinued operations before income tax	272			3,042			89,739			9,232
	Income tax benefit (expense)	277			(1,154		)	(29,926		)	(3,501		)
	Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	549		$	1,888		$	59,813		$	5,731
	The following table presents the aggregate carrying amounts of the major classes of assets and liabilities related to the Photovoltaics business as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014.
		As of			As of
	(in thousands)	March 31,			September 30,
		2015			2014
	Assets of discontinued operations:
	Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $0	$	—		$	17,827
	Inventory	—			7,203
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—			1,512
	Current assets of discontinued operations	—			26,542
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			26,660
	Goodwill	—			20,384
	Other non-current assets, net	—			254
	Non-current assets of discontinued operations	—			47,298
	Total assets of discontinued operations	$	—		$	73,840
	Liabilities of discontinued operations:
	Accounts payable	$	—		$	4,640
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	—			5,398
	Current liabilities of discontinued operations	—			10,038
	Asset retirement obligations	—			720
	Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations	—			720
	Total liabilities of discontinued operations	$	—		$	10,758
Digital Products Business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Schedule of Discontinued Operations, Balance Sheet and Income Statement	The following table presents the statements of operations for the discontinued operations of the Digital Products Business
	through the three and six months ended March 31, 2015 and for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014.
	(in thousands)	For the three months ended March 31,						For the six months ended March 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Revenue	$	40		$	10,667		$	11,855		$	19,296
	Cost of revenue	(1		)	11,490			9,111			20,114
	Gross profit	41			(823		)	2,744			(818		)
	Operating expense	446			3,362			3,158			6,708
	Other income (expense)	—			—			—			—
	Gain on sale of discontinued operations	1,994			—			1,994			—
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income tax	1,589			(4,185		)	1,580			(7,526		)
	Income tax benefit (expense)	1,870			1,587			1,873			2,854
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	3,459		$	(2,598	)	$	3,453		$	(4,672	)
	The following table presents the aggregate carrying amounts of the major classes of assets and liabilities related to the Digital Products Business as of March 31, 2015 and September 30, 2014.
		As of			As of
	(in thousands)	March 31,			September 30,
		2015			2014
	Assets held for sale:
	Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $0 and $17, respectively	$	—		$	14,268
	Inventory	—			3,225
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—			30
	Current assets of discontinued operations	—			17,523
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			7,881
	Other intangible assets, net	—			1,060
	Non-current assets of discontinued operations	—			8,941
	Total assets of discontinued operations	$	—		$	26,464
	Liabilities held for sale:
	Accounts payable	—			10,848
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	—			38
	Current liabilities of discontinued operations	$	—		$	10,886

Fair_Value_Accounting_Tables

Fair Value Accounting (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring	The following table lists our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
	Fair Value Measurement
	(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2	Level 3
		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Remaining Inputs	Significant Unobservable Inputs	Total
	As of March 31, 2015
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	140,965	—	—	$	140,965
	Restricted cash	168		—	—	168
	Note receivable	—		—	15,482	15,482
	Liabilities:
	Warrant liability	—		—	—	—
	As of September 30, 2014
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	20,687	—	—	$	20,687
	Restricted cash	1,482		—	—	1,482
	Liabilities:
	Warrant liability	—		122	—	122

Accounts_Receivable_Tables

Accounts Receivable (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	The components of accounts receivable consisted of the following:
		As of			As of
	(in thousands)	March 31,			September 30, 2014
		2015
	Accounts receivable, gross	$	17,523		$	12,885
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	(413		)	(116		)
	Accounts receivable, net	$	17,110		$	12,769

Inventory_Tables

Inventory (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory	The components of inventory consisted of the following:
		As of		As of
	(in thousands)	March 31,		September 30, 2014
		2015
	Raw materials	$	7,092	$	7,255
	Work in-process	4,577		4,403
	Finished goods	3,832		3,986
	Inventory	$	15,501	$	15,644

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_n1

Property, Plant, and Equipment, net (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment	The components of property, plant, and equipment, net consisted of the following:
		As of		As of
	(in thousands)	March 31,		September 30, 2014
		2015
	Equipment	$	6,776	$	7,328
	Furniture and fixtures	34		42
	Computer hardware and software	629		749
	Leasehold improvements	347		2,278
	Construction in progress	190		49
	Property, plant, and equipment, net	$	7,976	$	10,446

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Schedule of Carrying Value of Intangible Assets	The following table sets forth the carrying value of intangible assets:
	(in thousands)		As of March 31, 2015							As of September 30, 2014
			Gross		Accumulated			Net		Gross Assets		Accumulated			Net
			Assets		Amortization			Assets				Amortization			Assets
	Fiber Optics:
	Patents		3,274		(3,204		)	70		4,697		(4,615		)	82
	Total		$	3,274	$	(3,204	)	$	70	$	4,697	$	(4,615	)	$	82
Schedule of Estimated Future Amortization Expense	Based on the carrying amount of our intangible assets as of March 31, 2015, the estimated future amortization expense is as follows:
	Estimated Future Amortization Expense
	(in thousands)
	Six months ending September 30, 2015	$	12
	Fiscal year ending September 30, 2016	25
	Fiscal year ending September 30, 2017	33
	Fiscal year ending September 30, 2018	—
	Fiscal year ending September 30, 2019 and thereafter	—
	Total	$	70

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur1

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities	The components of accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following:
		As of			As of
	(in thousands)	March 31,			September 30, 2014
		2015
	Compensation	$	2,787		$	1,797
	Warranty	1,723			2,285
	Termination fee	2,775			2,775
	Professional fees	534			2,181
	Customer deposits	499			593
	Deferred revenue	313			97
	Self insurance	875			1,470
	Income and other taxes	3,080			1,433
	Loss on sale contracts	—			119
	Severance and restructuring accruals	2,309			1,317
	Loss on inventory purchase commitments	—			306
	Other	1,081			836
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	15,976		$	15,209
Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs	The following table summarizes the changes in the severance and restructuring-related accrual accounts:
	(in thousands)	Severance-related accruals			Restructuring- related accruals			Total
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	1,317		$	—		$	1,317
	Expense - charged to accrual	1,087			737			1,824
	Payments and accrual adjustments	(647		)	(93		)	(740		)
	Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	1,757		$	644		$	2,401
	Current portion	$	1,757		$	552		$	2,309
	Non-current portion	—			92			92
	Severance and restructuring accruals at end of period	$	1,757		$	644		$	2,401
Schedule of Product Warranty Accruals	The following table summarizes the changes in our product warranty accrual accounts:
	Product Warranty Accruals	For the three months ended March 31,						For the Six Months Ended March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
	Balance at beginning of period	$	2,435		$	3,663		$	2,816		$	3,881
	Provision for product warranty - expense	113			1,296			515			1,296
	Adjustments and utilization of warranty accrual	(624		)	(230		)	(1,407		)	(448		)
	Balance at end of period	$	1,924		$	4,729		$	1,924		$	4,729
	Current portion	$	1,723		$	4,198		$	1,723		$	4,198
	Non-current portion	201			531			201			531
	Product warranty liability at end of period	$	1,924		$	4,729		$	1,924		$	4,729

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Asset Retirement Obligations Activity	The following table summarizes asset retirement obligations activity.
	Asset Retirement Obligations	March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	5,263
	Asset retirement obligations reclassified to liabilities of discontinued operations	(720		)
	Subtotal	4,543
	Accretion expense	67
	Revision in estimated cash flows	$	(2,879	)
	Balance at end of period	$	1,731

Equity_Tables

Equity (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Stock Options Activity	The following table summarizes stock option activity under the Equity Plans for the six months ended March 31, 2015:
		Number of Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (*) (in thousands)
							Remaining Contractual Life
							(in years)
	Outstanding as of September 30, 2014	1,431,190			$19.06
	Granted	9,650			$5.34
	Exercised	(123,387	)		$4.54				$	95
	Forfeited	(8,027	)		$5.12
	Expired	(79,503	)		$17.27
	Outstanding as of March 31, 2015	1,229,923			$20.62		2.08		$	265
	Exercisable as of March 31, 2015	1,210,320			$20.86		1.97		$	258
	Vested and expected to vest as of March 31, 2015	1,226,293			$20.66		2.06		$	264
	(*) Intrinsic value for stock options represents the “in-the-money” portion or the positive variance between a stock option's exercise price and the underlying stock price. For the six months ended March 31, 2014, the intrinsic value of options exercised was $4,000.
Schedule of Valuation Assumptions	The fair value of each stock option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model, adhering to the straight-line attribution approach using the following weighted-average assumptions, of which the expected term and stock price volatility rate are highly subjective:
		For the Three Months Ended March 31,							For the Six Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014				2015				2014
	Black-Scholes weighted average assumptions:
	Expected dividend rate	—	%		—		%		—		%		—		%
	Expected stock price volatility rate	72.7	%		93.4		%		76		%		93.8		%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.7	%		1.9		%		1.8		%		1.9		%
	Expected term (in years)	6			6				6				6
	Weighted average grant date fair value per share of stock options granted:	$3.51			$	3.76			$	3.55			$	3.79
Schedule of Restricted Stock Activity	The following table summarizes the activity related to RSUs for the six months ended March 31, 2015:
	Restricted Stock Activity		Restricted Stock Units
			Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	Non-vested as of September 30, 2014		966,579			$4.71
	Granted		507,400			$5.36
	Vested		(838,827	)		$4.75
	Forfeited		(41,949	)		$4.86
	Non-vested as of March 31, 2015		593,203			$5.20
Schedule of Stock-based Compensation Expense - By Award Type	The effect of recording stock-based compensation expense was as follows:
	Stock-based Compensation Expense - by award type	For the three months ended March 31,								For the six months ended March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015				2014				2015				2014
	Employee stock options	$	7			$	29			$	184			$	78
	Restricted stock awards and units	797				424				2,056				918
	Employee stock purchase plan	14				75				64				163
	401(k) match in common stock	144				125				224				203
	Outside director fees in common stock	72				85				280				195
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	1,034			$	738			$	2,808			$	1,557
Schedule Stock-based Compensation Expense - By Expense Type
	Stock-based Compensation Expense - by expense type	For the three months ended March 31,								For the six months ended March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015				2014				2015				2014
	Cost of revenue	$	81			$	117			$	185			$	226
	Selling, general, and administrative	849				457				2,414				1,010
	Research and development	104				164				209				321
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	1,034			$	738			$	2,808			$	1,557
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:
	Basic and Diluted Net (Loss) Income Per Share		For the Three Months Ended March 31,								For the Six Months Ended March 31,
	(in thousands, except per share)		2015				2014				2015				2014
	Numerator
	Loss from continuing operations		$	(956	)		$	(4,722	)		$	(4,086	)		$	(8,545	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations		4,008				(710		)		63,266				1,059
	Total		3,052				(5,432		)		59,180				(7,486		)
	Undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders for basic net income (loss) per share		$	3,052			$	(5,432	)		$	59,180			$	(7,486	)
	Undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders for diluted net income (loss) per share		$	3,052			$	(5,432	)		$	59,180			$	(7,486	)
	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic net income (loss) per share - weighted average shares outstanding		32,077				30,392				31,640				30,162
	Dilutive options outstanding, unvested stock units and ESPP		—				—				—				—
	Denominator for diluted net income (loss) per share - adjusted weighted average shares outstanding		32,077				30,392				31,640				30,162
	Net income (loss) per basic and diluted shares:
	Continuing operations		$	(0.03	)		$	(0.16	)		$	(0.13	)		$	(0.28	)
	Discontinued operations		0.13				(0.02		)		2				0.03
	Net income (loss) per basic share		$	0.1			$	(0.18	)		$	1.87			$	(0.25	)
	Weighted average antidilutive options, unvested restricted stock units and awards, warrants and ESPP shares excluded from the computation		2,214				3,028				2,434				2,653
	Average market price of common stock		$	5.34			$	4.96			$	5.32			$	5
Schedule of Common Stock Reserved for Future Issuances	As of March 31, 2015, we had common stock reserved for the following future issuances:
	Future Issuances	Number of Common Stock Shares Available for Future Issuances
	Exercise of outstanding stock options	1,229,923
	Unvested restricted stock units	593,203
	Purchases under the employee stock purchase plan	1,020,874
	Issuance of stock-based awards under the Equity Plans	612,707
	Exercise of outstanding warrants	400,001
	Purchases under the officer and director share purchase plan	88,741
	Total reserved	3,945,449

Geographical_Information_Table

Geographical Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of revenue by geographic region	The following tables set forth revenue by geographic region with revenue assigned to geographic regions based on our customers’ billing address and excludes the discontinued operations discussed above.
	Revenue by Geographic Region	For the three months ended March 31,				For the six months ended March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
	United States	$	13,063	$	8,149	$	26,413	$	18,593
	Asia	3,901		2,811		6,598		4,979
	Europe	1,950		1,847		$	4,027	3,511
	Other	143		146		435		533
	Total revenue	$	19,057	$	12,953	$	37,473	$	27,616
Schedule of Long-lived Assets by Geographic Areas	Long-lived assets consist primarily of property, plant, and equipment and also intangible assets. Long-lived assets that were disposed of as the result of the Photovoltaics and Digital Products Asset Sales were included in "Assets of discontinued operations" on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2014, and accordingly, are not included in the following table.
	Long-lived Assets	As of		As of
	(in thousands)	March 31, 2015		September 30, 2014
	United States	$	2,911	$	4,997
	International	5,644		5,531
	Long-lived assets	$	8,555	$	10,528

Description_of_Business_Other_

Description of Business (Other Disclosures) (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	segment
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of reporting segments	1

Description_of_Business_Liquid

Description of Business (Liquidity and Capital Resources) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2014

Jan. 02, 2015

Apr. 17, 2015

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

6-May-15

Dec. 10, 2014

Oct. 22, 2014

Apr. 16, 2015

Auction Market Preferred Securities, Stock Series [Line Items]

Cash and cash equivalents

$140,965,000

$18,175,000

$140,965,000

$18,175,000

$20,687,000

$16,104,000

Working capital

153,800,000

153,800,000

Net income (loss)

3,052,000

-5,432,000

59,180,000

-7,486,000

Subsequent Event

Auction Market Preferred Securities, Stock Series [Line Items]

Stock repurchase program, authorized amount

45,000,000

Revolving Credit Facility | Sixth Amendment

Auction Market Preferred Securities, Stock Series [Line Items]

Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity

15,000,000

Revolving Credit Facility | LIBOR Rate Loan

Auction Market Preferred Securities, Stock Series [Line Items]

Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity

35,000,000

Digital Products Business

Auction Market Preferred Securities, Stock Series [Line Items]

Asset purchase agreement, selling price

17,500,000

Asset sale, cash consideration

1,500,000

Asset sale, promissory note, principal amount

16,000,000

Proceeds from sale of business

1,500,000

0

Digital Products Business | Subsequent Event

Auction Market Preferred Securities, Stock Series [Line Items]

Asset sale, promissory note, principal amount

15,500,000

Proceeds from sale of business

15,700,000

Photovoltaics | Photovoltaics Business

Auction Market Preferred Securities, Stock Series [Line Items]

Asset purchase agreement, selling price

$150,000,000

Description_of_Business_Sale_o

Description of Business (Sale of Fiber Optics-related Assets) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	7-May-12	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Deferred gain associated with sale of assets			$3,400,000	$3,400,000
Sumitomo Electric Industries, LTD
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gain on sale of assets	2,800,000
Indemnification associated with sale of assets (up to $3.4 million)	3,400,000
Indemnification period	2 years
Proceeds from sale of assets	13,100,000
Cash held in escrow	2,600,000
Reduction of purchase price		1,100,000
Escrow Receivable			1,500,000
Sumitomo Electric Industries, LTD | Indemnification Obligation
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Deferred gain associated with sale of assets			$3,400,000

Discontinued_Operations_Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 02, 2015	Apr. 17, 2015	Dec. 10, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 22, 2014	Apr. 16, 2015
Spain And Netherlands
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Other income	$700,000
Photovoltaics Business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Goodwill		0		0					20,384,000
Other income		0	0	779,000	0
Digital Products Business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Asset purchase agreement, selling price										17,500,000
Transaction costs incurred in sale of business		1,600,000
Other income		0	0	0	0
Asset sale, cash consideration						1,500,000
Asset sale, promissory note, principal amount										16,000,000
Proceeds from sale of business				1,500,000	0
Asset sale, promissory note, interest rate, year one										0.05
Asset sale, promissory note, interest rate, year two										0.13
Net assets sold during the period		13,300,000		13,300,000
Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operation, net of tax		2,000,000
Digital Products Business | Subsequent Event
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Asset sale, promissory note, principal amount											15,500,000
Proceeds from sale of business							15,700,000
Photovoltaics | Photovoltaics Business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Asset purchase agreement, selling price								150,000,000
Net assets sold								60,300,000
Transaction costs incurred in sale of business								2,700,000
Gain on sale of Photovoltaics Business	$56,800,000

Discontinued_Operations_Balanc

Discontinued Operations Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets of discontinued operations:
Current assets of discontinued operations	$0	$44,065
Non-current assets of discontinued operations	0	56,239
Liabilities of discontinued operations:
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	0	20,924
Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations	0	720
Photovoltaics Business
Assets of discontinued operations:
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	0	17,827
Inventory	0	7,203
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	1,512
Current assets of discontinued operations	0	26,542
Property, plant and equipment, net	0	26,660
Goodwill	0	20,384
Other non-current assets, net	0	254
Non-current assets of discontinued operations	0	47,298
Total assets of discontinued operations	0	73,840
Allowance	0	0
Liabilities of discontinued operations:
Accounts payable	0	4,640
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	0	5,398
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	0	10,038
Asset retirement obligations	0	720
Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations	0	720
Total liabilities of discontinued operations	0	10,758
Digital Products Business
Assets of discontinued operations:
Accounts receivable, net of allowance	0	14,268
Inventory	0	3,225
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	0	30
Current assets of discontinued operations	0	17,523
Property, plant and equipment, net	0	7,881
Other intangible assets, net	0	1,060
Non-current assets of discontinued operations	0	8,941
Total assets of discontinued operations	0	26,464
Allowance	0	17
Liabilities of discontinued operations:
Accounts payable	0	10,848
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	0	38
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	$0	$10,886

Discontinued_Operations_Income

Discontinued Operations Income Statements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Photovoltaics Business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenue	$0	$18,627	$12,614	$39,546
Cost of revenue	0	13,836	8,245	27,016
Gross profit	0	4,791	4,369	12,530
Operating expense	-272	1,749	2,431	3,298
Other income	0	0	779	0
Gain on sale of discontinued operations	0	0	87,022	0
Income from discontinued operations before income tax	272	3,042	89,739	9,232
Income tax benefit (expense)	277	-1,154	-29,926	-3,501
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	549	1,888	59,813	5,731
Digital Products Business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenue	40	10,667	11,855	19,296
Cost of revenue	-1	11,490	9,111	20,114
Gross profit	41	-823	2,744	-818
Operating expense	446	3,362	3,158	6,708
Other income	0	0	0	0
Gain on sale of discontinued operations	1,994	0	1,994	0
Income from discontinued operations before income tax	1,589	-4,185	1,580	-7,526
Income tax benefit (expense)	1,870	1,587	1,873	2,854
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$3,459	($2,598)	$3,453	($4,672)

Fair_Value_Accounting_Fair_Val

Fair Value Accounting (Fair Value Measurement) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$140,965	$20,687	$18,175	$16,104
Restricted cash	168	1,482
Liabilities:
Warrant liability	0	122
Recurring
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	140,965	20,687
Restricted cash	168	1,482
Note receivable	15,482
Liabilities:
Warrant liability	0	122
Recurring | Level 1 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	140,965	20,687
Restricted cash	168	1,482
Note receivable	0
Liabilities:
Warrant liability	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 Significant Other Observable Remaining Inputs
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0
Note receivable	0
Liabilities:
Warrant liability	0	122
Recurring | Level 3 Significant Unobservable Inputs
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0
Note receivable	15,482
Liabilities:
Warrant liability	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Accounting_Other_Di

Fair Value Accounting (Other Disclosure) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 17, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 22, 2014	Apr. 16, 2015
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of outstanding warrants (in shares)	400,001			400,001
Digital Products Business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Asset sale, promissory note, principal amount					$16,000,000
Proceeds from sale of business	1,500,000	0
Asset sale, promissory note, interest rate, year one					0.05
Asset sale, promissory note, interest rate, year two					0.13
Asset purchase agreement, selling price					17,500,000
Subsequent Event | Digital Products Business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Asset sale, promissory note, principal amount						15,500,000
Proceeds from sale of business			$15,700,000

Accounts_Receivable_Schedule_o

Accounts Receivable (Schedule of Components of Accounts Receivable) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, gross	$17,523	$12,885
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-413	-116
Accounts receivable, net	$17,110	$12,769

Inventory_Schedule_of_Componen

Inventory (Schedule of Components of Inventory) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	$7,092	$7,255
Work in-process	4,577	4,403
Finished goods	3,832	3,986
Inventory	$15,501	$15,644

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_n2

Property, Plant, and Equipment, net (Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, net	$7,976	$10,446
Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, net	6,776	7,328
Furniture and fixtures
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, net	34	42
Computer hardware and software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, net	629	749
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, net	347	2,278
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant, and equipment, net	$190	$49

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_n3

Property, Plant, and Equipment, net Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Gain from change in estimate on ARO obligation		$2,900,000		$2,879,000
Asset retirement obligation, revision in estimated cash flows	0	800,000	0	845,000	0
Accumulated depreciation	22,600,000			22,600,000		21,500,000
Leasehold Improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Decrease in property, plant, and equipment		($2,100,000)

Intangible_Assets_Schedule_by_

Intangible Assets (Schedule by Reporting Segment) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Assets	$3,274	$4,697
Accumulated Amortization	-3,204	-4,615
Net Assets	70	82
Estimated Future Amortization Expense
Six months ending September 30, 2015	12
Fiscal year ending September 30, 2016	25
Fiscal year ending September 30, 2017	33
Fiscal year ending September 30, 2018	0
Fiscal year ending September 30, 2019 and thereafter	0
Net Assets	70	82
Fiber Optics: | Patents
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Assets	3,274	4,697
Accumulated Amortization	-3,204	-4,615
Net Assets	70	82
Estimated Future Amortization Expense
Net Assets	$70	$82

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur2

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Schedule of Accrued Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Compensation	$2,787	$1,797
Warranty	1,723	2,285	4,198
Termination fee	2,775	2,775
Professional fees	534	2,181
Customer deposits	499	593
Deferred revenue	313	97
Self insurance	875	1,470
Income and other taxes	3,080	1,433
Loss on sale contracts	0	119
Severance and restructuring accruals	2,309	1,317
Loss on inventory purchase commitments	0	306
Other	1,081	836
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$15,976	$15,209

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur3

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities Professional Fees (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Professional fees	$534	$2,181
Photovoltaics Business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Professional fees	$1,800

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur4

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Income and other taxes) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Income tax benefit (expense)	$396,000		($433,000)	$2,308,000	$647,000
Discontinued operations, tax effect	-2,100,000		400,000	28,100,000	600,000
Discontinued operation, deferred income tax expense benefit		$24,100,000

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur5

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Severance and Restructuring Accruals) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 17, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 10, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Severance and restructuring accruals:
Discontinued operations, remaining lease costs	$700,000	$700,000
Chief Operating Officer
Severance and restructuring accruals:
Estimated charge related to separation agreement			500,000
Chief Executive Officer
Severance and restructuring accruals:
Estimated charge related to separation agreement					800,000
Resignation period following replacement selection				15 days
Continuation of base salary period				602 days
Continuation of benefits, period				18 months
Outplacement services, period				1 year
Outplacement services, value				15,000
Chief Administrative Officer
Severance and restructuring accruals:
Estimated charge related to separation agreement		600,000
Continuation of base salary period						518 days
Continuation of benefits, period						18 months
Outplacement services, period						1 year
Outplacement services, value						15,000
Chief Counsel and Secretary
Severance and restructuring accruals:
Estimated charge related to separation agreement							500,000
Continuation of base salary period						476 days
Continuation of benefits, period						18 months
Outplacement services, period						1 year
Outplacement services, value						$15,000

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur6

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of September 30, 2014	$1,317
Expense - charged to accrual	1,824
Payments and accrual adjustments	-740
Balance as of March 31, 2015	2,401
Current portion	2,309	1,317
Non-current portion	92
Severance and restructuring accruals at end of period	2,401
Severance-related accruals
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of September 30, 2014	1,317
Expense - charged to accrual	1,087
Payments and accrual adjustments	-647
Balance as of March 31, 2015	1,757
Current portion	1,757
Non-current portion	0
Severance and restructuring accruals at end of period	1,757
Restructuring- related accruals
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance as of September 30, 2014	0
Expense - charged to accrual	737
Payments and accrual adjustments	-93
Balance as of March 31, 2015	644
Current portion	552
Non-current portion	92
Severance and restructuring accruals at end of period	$644

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur7

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Schedule of Product Warranty Accruals) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Product Warranty Accruals [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$2,435	$3,663	$2,816	$3,881
Provision for product warranty - expense	113	1,296	515	1,296
Adjustments and utilization of warranty accrual	-624	-230	-1,407	-448
Balance at end of period	1,924	4,729	1,924	4,729
Current portion	1,723	4,198	1,723	4,198	2,285
Non-current portion	$201	$531	$201	$531

Credit_Facilities_Details

Credit Facilities (Details) (Revolving Credit Facility, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 10, 2014
	letter_of_credit
LIBOR Rate Loan
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity		$35,000,000
Credit facility, interest rate on outstanding balance	3.30%
Standby letters of credit, total amount outstanding	1,400,000
Number of standby letters of credit outstanding	5
Sixth Amendment
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity		$15,000,000

Income_and_other_Taxes_Narrati

Income and other Taxes Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Discontinued operation, deferred income tax expense benefit		$24,100,000
Income tax benefit (expense)	-396,000		433,000	-2,308,000	-647,000
Discontinued operations, tax effect	-2,100,000		400,000	28,100,000	600,000
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, percent	29.30%		-10.10%	36.10%	7.00%
Unrecognized tax benefits, income tax penalties and interest accrued	476,000			476,000		445,000
Income tax credits and adjustments					$600,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Other Disclosures) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 23, 2014	Oct. 01, 2014
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Operating leases, rent expense, net		$300,000		$400,000	$700,000	$800,000
Fair value assumptions, credit adjusted risk-free rate, range minimal amount		3.25%			3.25%
Fair value assumptions, credit adjusted risk-free rate, range maximum amount		5.78%			5.78%
Asset retirement obligations reclassified to liabilities of discontinued operations		52,000		41,000	67,000	85,000
Gain from change in estimate on ARO obligation			2,900,000		2,879,000
Asset retirement obligation, revision in estimated cash flows		0	800,000	0	845,000	0
Business combination, indemnification assets, range of outcomes, value (up to $3.4 million)	3,400,000
Business combination, indemnification duration, period taken into account for	2 years
Leasehold Improvements
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Decrease in property, plant, and equipment			-2,100,000
Sumitomo Electric Industries, LTD
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, damages sought							$40,000,000
Buildings | Property Subject to Operating Lease
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of leased buildings		6			6
Lease term								3 years
Operating lease, term extension, option to extend								3 years

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies Asset Retirement Obligation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligations
Balance at September 30, 2014		$5,263		$5,263
Asset retirement obligations reclassified to liabilities of discontinued operations						-720
Asset retirement obligation, including discontinued operations						4,543
Asset retirement obligations reclassified to liabilities of discontinued operations	52		41	67	85
Revision in estimated cash flows		-2,900		-2,879
Balance at end of period	$1,731			$1,731		$5,263

Equity_Narrative_Details

Equity Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 10, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
	plan		plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of equity incentive compensation plans maintained by the company	3		3
Compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition			3 years 3 months 18 days
Unvested restricted stock units	593,203		593,203
Share-based compensation, included in discontinued operations	$100,000	$400,000	$900,000	$700,000
Employee stock purchase plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), biannual plan duration			6 months
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), employee purchase price percentage			85.00%
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), annual employee contribution limit percentage			10.00%
Accelerated compensation cost			25,000
Employee stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options, average minimum vesting period (in years)			4 years
Stock options, average maximum vesting period (in years)			5 years
Stock options, contractual life (in years)			10 years
Unrecognized compensation expense	200,000		200,000
Compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition			2 years 6 months
Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period			3 years
Remaining unamortized stock-based compensation expense	2,700,000		2,700,000
Remaining unamortized stock-based compensation expense, period for recognition (in years)			2 years 6 months 0 days
Unvested restricted stock units	593,203		593,203			966,579
Outstanding non-vested RSUs aggregate intrinsic value	3,200,000		3,200,000
Outstanding non-vested RSUs weighted average remaining contractual term (in years)			1 year 7 months 6 days
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, equity instruments other than options, aggregate intrinsic value, vested			4,400,000	1,600,000
Share-based compensation arrangement, by share-based payment award, options, vested and expected to vest, exercisable, number	500,000		500,000
Share based compensation arrangement, by share based payment award, equity instruments other than options, expected to vest, intrinsic value	$3,000,000		$3,000,000
Share based compensation arrangement, by share based payment award, equity investments other than options, expected to vest, weighted average contractual term (in years)			1 year 7 months 6 days
Weighted average grant date fair value, shares granted (USD per share)			$5.36	$4.89
Vested (in shares)			-838,827		-300,000

Equity_Schedule_of_Stock_Optio

Equity (Schedule of Stock Options Activity) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Number of Shares
Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	1,431,190
Granted (in shares)	9,650
Exercised (in shares)	-123,387
Forfeited (in shares)	-8,027
Expired (in shares)	-79,503
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	1,229,923
Exercisable as of March 31, 2015 (in shares)	1,210,320
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$19.06
Granted (in dollars per share)	$5.34
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$4.54
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$5.12
Expired (in dollars per share)	$17.27
Outstanding, end of period (in dollars per share)	$20.62
Exercisable as of March 31, 2015	$20.86
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years):
Outstanding as of March 31, 2015	2 years 0 months 29 days
Exercisable as of March 31, 2015	1 year 11 months 19 days
Vested and expected to vest as of March 31, 2015
Number of stock options	1,226,293
Weighted average exercise price	$20.66
Weighted average remaining contractual term	2 years 0 months 22 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) (USD per share)
Exercised (USD per share)	$95	$4
Outstanding as of March 31, 2015	265
Exercisable as of March 31, 2015	258
Vested and expected to vest as of March 31, 2015	$264

Equity_Schedule_of_Valuation_A

Equity (Schedule of Valuation Assumptions) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Black-Scholes weighted average assumptions:
Expected dividend rate	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected stock price volatility rate	72.70%	93.40%	76.00%	93.80%
Risk-free interest rate	1.70%	1.90%	1.80%	1.90%
Expected term (in years)	6 years	6 years	6 years	6 years
Weighted average grant date fair value per share of stock option granted (in dollars per share)	$3.51	$3.76	$3.55	$3.79

Equity_Schedule_of_Restricted_

Equity (Schedule of Restricted Stock Activity) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Dec. 10, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Number of Shares
Non-vested as of March 31, 2015 (in shares)		593,203
Restricted Stock Units
Number of Shares
Non-vested as of September 30, 2014 (in shares)		966,579
Granted (in shares)		507,400
Vested (in shares)	-300,000	-838,827
Forfeited (in shares)		-41,949
Non-vested as of March 31, 2015 (in shares)		593,203
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested as of September 30, 2014 (in dollars per share)		$4.71
Granted (in dollars per share)		$5.36	$4.89
Vested (in dollars per share)		$4.75
Forfeited (in dollars per share)		$4.86
Non-vested as of March 31, 2015 (in dollars per share)		$5.20

Equity_Schedule_of_Stockbased_

Equity (Schedule of Stock-based Compensation Expense - by Award Type) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$1,034	$738	$2,808	$1,557
Employee stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	7	29	184	78
Restricted stock awards and units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	797	424	2,056	918
Employee stock purchase plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	14	75	64	163
401(k) match in common stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	144	125	224	203
Outside director fees in common stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$72	$85	$280	$195

Equity_Schedule_of_Stockbased_1

Equity (Schedule of Stock-based Compensation Expense - by Expense Category) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$1,034	$738	$2,808	$1,557
Cost of revenue
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	81	117	185	226
Selling, general, and administrative
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	849	457	2,414	1,010
Research and development
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$104	$164	$209	$321

Equity_Schedule_of_Earnings_pe

Equity (Schedule of Earnings per Share) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Numerator
Loss from continuing operations	($956)	($4,722)	($4,086)	($8,545)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	4,008	-710	63,266	1,059
Net income (loss)	3,052	-5,432	59,180	-7,486
Undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders for basic net income (loss) per share	3,052	-5,432	59,180	-7,486
Undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders for diluted net income (loss) per share	$3,052	($5,432)	$59,180	($7,486)
Denominator:
Denominator for basic net income (loss) per share - weighted average shares outstanding	32,077	30,392	31,640	30,162
Dilutive options outstanding, unvested stock units and ESPP	0	0	0	0
Denominator for diluted net income (loss) per share - adjusted weighted average shares outstanding	32,077	30,392	31,640	30,162
Net income (loss) per basic and diluted shares:
Net income (loss) per basic and diluted shares, continuing operations (USD per share)	($0.03)	($0.16)	($0.13)	($0.28)
Net income (loss) per basic and diluted shares, discontinued operations (USD per share)	$0.13	($0.02)	$2	$0.03
Net income (loss) per basic share and diluted share (USD per share)	$0.10	($0.18)	$1.87	($0.25)
Weighted average antidilutive options, unvested restricted stock units and awards, warrants and ESPP shares excluded from the computation	2,214	3,028	2,434	2,653
Average market price of common stock (in dollars per share)	$5.34	$4.96	$5.32	$5

Equity_Schedule_of_Common_Stoc

Equity (Schedule of Common Stock Reserved for Future Issuances) (Details)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Exercise of outstanding stock options	1,229,923	1,431,190
Unvested restricted stock units	593,203
Purchases under the employee stock purchase plan	1,020,874
Issuance of stock-based awards under the Equity Plans	612,707
Exercise of outstanding warrants	400,001	400,001
Purchases under the officer and director share purchase plan	88,741
Total reserved	3,945,449

Geographical_Information_Narra

Geographical Information Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 10, 2014	Oct. 22, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of long-lived assets located in the United States	34.00%			34.00%		47.00%
Revision in estimated cash flows		($2,900,000)		($2,879,000)
Asset retirement obligation, revision in estimated cash flows	0	800,000	0	845,000	0
Leasehold Improvements
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Decrease in property, plant, and equipment		-2,100,000
Customer Concentration Risk | Sales Revenue, Segment
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Revenue by customer, percentage	54.00%		38.00%	62.00%	40.00%
Photovoltaics Business | Photovoltaics
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Asset purchase agreement, selling price							150,000,000
Digital Products Business
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Asset purchase agreement, selling price								$17,500,000

Geographical_Information_Sched

Geographical Information (Schedule of Revenue by Geographic Region) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$19,057	$12,953	$37,473	$27,616
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	13,063	8,149	26,413	18,593
Asia
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	3,901	2,811	6,598	4,979
Europe
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	1,950	1,847	4,027	3,511
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$143	$146	$435	$533

Geographical_Information_Sched1

Geographical Information (Schedule of Long-lived Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	$8,555	$10,528
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	2,911	4,997
International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	$5,644	$5,531

Subsequent_Event_Details

Subsequent Event (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 17, 2015	6-May-15	Oct. 22, 2014	Apr. 16, 2015
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount				$45,000,000
Digital Products Business
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Asset sale, promissory note, principal amount					16,000,000
Proceeds from sale of business	1,500,000	0
Digital Products Business | Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Asset sale, promissory note, principal amount						15,500,000
Proceeds from sale of business			$15,700,000