Segment Information and Foreign Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Information [Abstract]
Number of operating segments					1
Revenue by product type
Net revenue	$ 20,808		$ 28,305		$ 69,447		$ 82,902
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]
Net revenue	20,808		28,305		69,447		82,902
Long-lived assets by geographic region [Abstract]
Long-lived assets	36,201				36,201				34,282	[1]
Major Customer One [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Number of customers representing significant revenue	1		1		1		1
Percentage of revenue generated by major customers (in hundredths)	14.30%		21.30%		15.60%		18.90%
Number of customers who accounted for 10% or more share in trade accounts receivable	1				1				1
Percentage of trade accounts receivable accounted by one customer (in hundredths)	18.30%				18.30%				32.40%
Top Five Major Customers [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Percentage of revenue generated by major customers (in hundredths)	37.30%		39.40%		37.00%		37.20%
Number of major customers	5		5		5		5
North America [Member]
Revenue by product type
Net revenue	3,230	[2]	6,049	[2]	12,663	[2]	16,253	[2]
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]
Net revenue	3,230	[2]	6,049	[2]	12,663	[2]	16,253	[2]
Long-lived assets by geographic region [Abstract]
Long-lived assets	350				350				484
Europe [Member]
Revenue by product type
Net revenue	5,148		5,831		14,519		17,063
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]
Net revenue	5,148		5,831		14,519		17,063
Japan [Member]
Revenue by product type
Net revenue	2,404		3,951		7,196		11,358
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]
Net revenue	2,404		3,951		7,196		11,358
Taiwan [Member]
Revenue by product type
Net revenue	3,490		2,592		9,130		8,201
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]
Net revenue	3,490		2,592		9,130		8,201
Asia Pacific [Member]
Revenue by product type
Net revenue	6,536		9,882		25,939		30,027
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]
Net revenue	6,536		9,882		25,939		30,027
China [Member]
Long-lived assets by geographic region [Abstract]
Long-lived assets	35,851				35,851				33,798
GaAs Substrates [Member]
Revenue by product type
Net revenue	12,901		18,735		39,994		52,593
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]
Net revenue	12,901		18,735		39,994		52,593
InP Substrates [Member]
Revenue by product type
Net revenue	1,649		1,522		4,433		4,458
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]
Net revenue	1,649		1,522		4,433		4,458
Ge Substrates [Member]
Revenue by product type
Net revenue	2,007		2,954		7,078		8,645
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]
Net revenue	2,007		2,954		7,078		8,645
Raw Materials And Other [Member]
Revenue by product type
Net revenue	4,251		5,094		17,942		17,206
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 4,251		$ 5,094		$ 17,942		$ 17,206

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

[2] Primarily the United States