Segment Information and Foreign Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 Segment	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Information [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	1
Revenue by product type [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 22,380	$ 23,486
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]
Net revenue	22,380	23,486
Long-lived assets by geographic region [Abstract]
Long-lived assets	37,477		37,235	[1]
Major Customer One [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Number of customers representing significant revenue	0	1
Percentage of revenue generated by major customers (in hundredths)		17.00%
Number of customers who accounted for 10% or more share in trade accounts receivable	1		1
Percentage of trade accounts receivable accounted by one customer (in hundredths)	18.00%		28.00%
Top Five Major Customers [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Percentage of revenue generated by major customers (in hundredths)	34.00%	46.00%
Number of major customers	5	5
China [Member]
Revenue by product type [Abstract]
Net revenue	6,029	5,774
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]
Net revenue	6,029	5,774
Long-lived assets by geographic region [Abstract]
Long-lived assets	37,140		36,805
Europe (primarily Germany) [Member]
Revenue by product type [Abstract]
Net revenue	4,689	4,565
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]
Net revenue	4,689	4,565
Taiwan [Member]
Revenue by product type [Abstract]
Net revenue	3,779	2,046
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]
Net revenue	3,779	2,046
North America (primarily the United States) [Member]
Revenue by product type [Abstract]
Net revenue	3,469	5,167
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]
Net revenue	3,469	5,167
Long-lived assets by geographic region [Abstract]
Long-lived assets	337		430
Japan [Member]
Revenue by product type [Abstract]
Net revenue	2,282	2,189
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]
Net revenue	2,282	2,189
Asia Pacific (excluding Japan and Taiwan) [Member]
Revenue by product type [Abstract]
Net revenue	2,132	3,745
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]
Net revenue	2,132	3,745
GaAs Substrates [Member]
Revenue by product type [Abstract]
Net revenue	11,723	12,231
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]
Net revenue	11,723	12,231
InP Substrates [Member]
Revenue by product type [Abstract]
Net revenue	1,849	1,451
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]
Net revenue	1,849	1,451
Ge Substrates [Member]
Revenue by product type [Abstract]
Net revenue	2,551	2,630
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]
Net revenue	2,551	2,630
Raw Materials And Other [Member]
Revenue by product type [Abstract]
Net revenue	6,257	7,174
Net revenues reported for products shipped to customers in corresponding geographic region [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 6,257	$ 7,174

[1] The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date.