CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends payable by consolidated joint ventures	$ 2,365	$ 0	$ 655

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of dividends declared but unpaid on equity securities issued by joint ventures in which entity has interest and outstanding. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

No definition available.

Name:	axti_DividendsPayableCurrentByJointVentures
Namespace Prefix:	axti_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant