Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Item	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Information
Number of identified reporting units			4
Number of reportable segments			2
Reconciliation of Segment profit (loss) to Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax
Net sales	$ 132,715	$ 267,959	$ 409,171	$ 787,450
Segment profit (loss)	14,219	78,115	59,892	257,053
Interest, net	176	244	708	(1,142)
Amortization	(1,477)	(1,277)	(3,877)	(3,519)
Equity-based compensation	(3,265)	(2,955)	(10,409)	(9,472)
Restructuring	(2,014)		(2,077)
Loss on extinguishment of debt				(3,349)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	7,639	74,127	44,237	239,571
LED And Solar
Reconciliation of Segment profit (loss) to Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax
Net sales	98,905	233,864	281,257	667,697
Segment profit (loss)	9,461	72,819	36,534	232,848
Amortization	(1,154)	(924)	(2,878)	(2,364)
Equity-based compensation	(1,914)	(996)	(4,016)	(2,567)
Restructuring	(660)		(718)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	5,733	70,899	28,922	227,917
Data Storage
Reconciliation of Segment profit (loss) to Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax
Net sales	33,810	34,095	127,914	119,753
Segment profit (loss)	4,278	7,877	25,367	33,158
Amortization	(323)	(353)	(999)	(1,072)
Equity-based compensation	(763)	(339)	(1,614)	(999)
Restructuring	(1,296)		(1,301)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	1,896	7,185	21,453	31,087
Unallocated Corporate Amount
Reconciliation of Segment profit (loss) to Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax
Segment profit (loss)	480	(2,581)	(2,009)	(8,953)
Interest, net	176	244	708	(1,142)
Amortization				(83)
Equity-based compensation	(588)	(1,620)	(4,779)	(5,906)
Restructuring	(58)		(58)
Loss on extinguishment of debt				(3,349)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$ 10	$ (3,957)	$ (6,138)	$ (19,433)