CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 22,760	$ 24,961
Short-term investments	22,375	12,499
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $791 and $1,054 as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013	16,364	14,943
Inventories	38,040	39,127
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	6,401	8,010
Total current assets	105,940	99,540
Long-term investments	1,678	10,145
Property, plant and equipment, net	36,179	37,621
Related party notes receivable - long-term	1,701	1,715
Other assets	14,752	14,801
Total assets	160,250	163,822
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	7,618	8,140
Accrued liabilities	6,646	7,286
Total current liabilities	14,264	15,426
Long-term portion of royalty payments	2,325	2,525
Other long-term liabilities	272	325
Total liabilities	16,861	18,276
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 2,000 shares authorized; 883 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (Liquidation preference of $6.2 million and $6.1 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)	3,532	3,532
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share; 70,000 shares authorized; 32,605 and 32,605 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	32	32
Additional paid-in capital	194,448	194,156
Accumulated deficit	(69,045)	(67,005)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	8,500	8,953
AXT, Inc. stockholders' equity	137,467	139,668
Noncontrolling interests	5,922	5,878
Total stockholders' equity	143,389	145,546
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 160,250	$ 163,822