CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 104,121	$ 95,493	$ 55,364
Cost of revenue	59,339	58,998	41,495
Gross profit	44,782	36,495	13,869
Operating expenses:
Selling, general, and administrative	14,836	13,972	13,389
Research and development	2,473	2,339	1,569
Restructuring charge	0	0	507
Total operating expenses	17,309	16,311	15,465
Income (loss) from operations	27,473	20,184	(1,596)
Interest income, net	449	53	177
Other income, net	696	2,462	385
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	28,618	22,699	(1,034)
Provision for income taxes	2,795	2,323	471
Net income (loss)	25,823	20,376	(1,505)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(5,503)	(1,723)	(393)
Net income (loss) attributable to AXT, Inc	$ 20,320	$ 18,653	$ (1,898)
Net income (loss) attributable to AXT, Inc. per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.63	$ 0.60	$ (0.07)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.61	$ 0.57	$ (0.07)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	31,872	31,008	30,500
Diluted (in shares)	33,061	32,512	30,500