Investments in Privately-held Companies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Income allocated to minority interests	$ 205,000	$ 441,000
Investments in unconsolidated privately-held entities, included in other assets	200,000		200,000
AXT, Inc. [Member]
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Gross equity earnings (losses) from minority-owned joint ventures that are not consolidated, recorded as other income	2,119,000	1,295,000
Equity Method Investments [Member]
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Equity method investment by parent	7,641,000		7,537,000
Number of equity investment entities	3
Minority investment in consolidated joint venture, included in other assets	3,400,000		3,400,000
Gross equity earnings (losses) from minority-owned joint ventures that are not consolidated, recorded as other income	487,000	282,000
Joint Ventures [Member]
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Number of consolidated joint ventures	3
Income from three consolidated joint ventures	800,000	1,300,000
Income allocated to minority interests	205,000	441,000
Net income from joint ventures attributable to parent	548,000	852,000
Majority-owned Subsidiaries [Member]
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Investments, consolidated	5,269,000		5,269,000
Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd [Member] | Majority-owned Subsidiaries [Member]
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Investments, consolidated	3,331,000		3,331,000
Percentage of ownership, consolidated method (in hundredths)	46.00%
Nanjing Jin Mei Gallium Co., Ltd [Member] | Majority-owned Subsidiaries [Member]
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Investments, consolidated	592,000		592,000
Percentage of ownership, consolidated method (in hundredths)	83.00%
Beijing BoYu Semiconductor Vessel Craftwork Technology Co., Ltd [Member] | Majority-owned Subsidiaries [Member]
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Investments, consolidated	1,346,000		1,346,000
Percentage of ownership, consolidated method (in hundredths)	70.00%
Donghai County Dongfang High Purity Electronic Materials Co., Ltd [Member] | Equity Method Investments [Member]
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Equity method investment by parent	1,867,000		1,900,000
Percentage of ownership, equity method (in hundredths)	46.00%
Xilingol Tongli Germanium Co. Ltd [Member] | Equity Method Investments [Member]
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Equity method investment by parent	4,849,000		4,692,000
Percentage of ownership, equity method (in hundredths)	25.00%
Emeishan Jia Mei High Purity Metals Co., Ltd [Member] | Equity Method Investments [Member]
Summary of investments [Abstract]
Equity method investment by parent	$ 925,000		$ 945,000
Percentage of ownership, equity method (in hundredths)	25.00%