CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 20,808	$ 28,305	$ 69,447	$ 82,902
Cost of revenue	15,342	16,068	48,279	45,979
Gross profit	5,466	12,237	21,168	36,923
Operating expenses:
Selling, general, and administrative	3,950	3,555	11,709	10,959
Research and development	844	612	2,593	1,816
Total operating expenses	4,794	4,167	14,302	12,775
Income from operations	672	8,070	6,866	24,148
Interest income, net	52	103	202	259
Other income, net	492	356	314	443
Income before provision for (benefit from) income taxes	1,216	8,529	7,382	24,850
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(228)	667	559	2,633
Net income	1,444	7,862	6,823	22,217
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(512)	(1,378)	(2,957)	(4,463)
Net income attributable to AXT, Inc.	$ 932	$ 6,484	$ 3,866	$ 17,754
Net income attributable to AXT, Inc. per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.20	$ 0.12	$ 0.55
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.19	$ 0.11	$ 0.53
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	32,183	31,944	32,118	31,832
Diluted (in shares)	32,769	33,126	32,911	33,140