Segment Information and Foreign Operations, Revenue by product (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenue by product type [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 19,345	$ 22,380
GaAs Substrates [Member]
Revenue by product type [Abstract]
Net revenue	8,488	11,723
InP Substrates [Member]
Revenue by product type [Abstract]
Net revenue	2,180	1,849
Ge Substrates [Member]
Revenue by product type [Abstract]
Net revenue	3,278	2,551
Raw Materials And Other [Member]
Revenue by product type [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 5,399	$ 6,257

Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

Name:	us-gaap_Revenues
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration