CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock	Rofin-Sinar Technologies Stockholders’ Equity	Non-Controlling Interest in Subsidiaries
Beginning Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 543,418	$ 327	$ 228,124	$ 462,808	$ 11,533	$ (163,026)	$ 539,766	$ 3,652
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Total comprehensive income	12,615			6,699	5,869	0	12,568
Less: Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest	47
Purchase of non-controlling interest	(370)		0				0	(370)
Common stock issued in connection with Stock Incentive Plans	4,624	2	4,622	0	0	0	4,624	0
Purchases of treasury stock	(5,593)					(5,593)	(5,593)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	554,694	329	232,746	469,507	17,402	(168,619)	551,365	3,329
Beginning Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	538,709	329	232,832	487,976	(14,072)	(169,262)	537,803	906
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Total comprehensive income	(38,026)			14,904	(52,945)	0	(38,041)	15
Less: Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest	15
Purchase of non-controlling interest	(448)	0	(69)				(69)	(379)
Common stock issued in connection with Stock Incentive Plans	4,044	1	4,043	0	0	0	4,044	0
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$ 504,279	$ 330	$ 236,806	$ 502,880	$ (67,017)	$ (169,262)	$ 503,737	$ 542