CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 35,503	$ 26,156	[1]
Short-term investments	10,577	5,505	[1]
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $167 and $124 as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	16,888	17,966	[1]
Inventories	39,932	46,012	[1]
Related party notes receivable - current	414	412	[1]
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	5,125	7,052	[1]
Total current assets	108,439	103,103	[1]
Long-term investments	5,367	8,981	[1]
Property, plant and equipment, net	36,201	34,282	[1]
Related party notes receivable - long-term	2,031	2,021	[1]
Other assets	14,183	14,101	[1]
Total assets	166,221	162,488	[1]
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	4,570	3,286	[1]
Accrued liabilities	6,800	7,597	[1]
Total current liabilities	11,370	10,883	[1]
Long-term portion of royalty payments	3,525	4,125	[1]
Other long-term liabilities	157	431	[1]
Total liabilities	15,052	15,439	[1]
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 2,000 shares authorized; 883 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively (Liquidation preference of $5.9 million and $5.8 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)	3,532	3,532	[1]
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share; 70,000 shares authorized; 32,378 and 32,222 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	32	32	[1]
Additional paid-in capital	192,703	191,554	[1]
Accumulated deficit	(58,291)	(62,157)	[1]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	6,006	5,818	[1]
Total AXT, Inc. stockholders' equity	143,982	138,779	[1]
Noncontrolling interests	7,187	8,270	[1]
Total stockholders' equity	151,169	147,049	[1]
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 166,221	$ 162,488	[1]

[1] The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2011 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date.