Refers to the additional loan paid to related party.

No definition available.

Name:	axti_AdditionalLoanPaidToRelatedParty
Namespace Prefix:	axti_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of the required annual lease payments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axti_AnnualLeasePayment
Namespace Prefix:	axti_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the aggregate amount of loan under a non-interest bearing note agreement to be sanctioned to an equity method investee.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axti_NonInterestBearingLoanToEquityMethodInvesteeFaceValue
Namespace Prefix:	axti_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents number of equity investment entities to which the entity had made loan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axti_NumberOfEquityInvestmentEntities
Namespace Prefix:	axti_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents total number of installments in which the loan amount is to be received.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axti_NumberOfInstallmentsOfLoanReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	axti_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the percentage of the increase in annual lease payment at each third year anniversary under operating lease agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axti_PercentageOfIncreaseInAnnualLeasePaymentAtEachThirdYearAnniversary
Namespace Prefix:	axti_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents term of operating lease as stipulated in the respective agreements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axti_PeriodOfOperatingLease
Namespace Prefix:	axti_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents a personal loan to an executive officer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axti_PersonalLoanToExecutiveOfficer
Namespace Prefix:	axti_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Income from agency sales.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axti_RelatedPartyTransactionIncomeFromAgencySales
Namespace Prefix:	axti_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the tenor of loan within which the recovery of outstanding is to be completed.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	axti_TermOfLoan
Namespace Prefix:	axti_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of liabilities incurred (and for which invoices have typically been received) and payable to vendors for goods and services received that are used in an entity's business. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount due from customers or clients, within one year of the balance sheet date (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer), for goods or services (including trade receivables) that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business, reduced to the estimated net realizable fair value by an allowance established by the entity of the amount it deems uncertain of collection.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3-4)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph a(1)
-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 4
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Area of a real estate property.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:areaItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amounts due from parties associated with the reporting entity as evidenced by a written promise to pay, due within 1 year (or 1 business cycle).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3(a)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Related Parties
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=16382449

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(k)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesReceivableRelatedPartiesCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amounts due from parties associated with the reporting entity as evidenced by a written promise to pay, due after 1 year (or 1 business cycle).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Related Parties
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=16382449

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.11)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(k)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph a
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesReceivableRelatedPartiesNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow for acquisition of or capital improvements on other tangible or intangible assets not otherwise defined in the taxonomy.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3213-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Investing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

+ Details

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

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=axti_NanjingJinMeiGalliumCoLtdMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=axti_BeijingJiyaSemiconductorMaterialCoLtdMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=axti_BeijingTongmeiXtalTechnologyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=axti_EmeishanJiaMeiHighPurityMetalsCoLtdMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=axti_XilingolTongliGermaniumCoLtdMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=axti_BeijingKaideQuartzCoLtdMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=axti_BeijingBoyuSemiconductorVesselCraftworkTechnologyCoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Related Party Transactions (Details)	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions (Details)	Apr. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) ft² installment	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) ft² installment	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2011 USD ($) item
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party notes receivable - long term			$ 1,741,000		$ 1,741,000		$ 1,781,000
Accounts payable			7,848,000		7,848,000		6,460,000
Accounts receivable			$ 18,036,000		$ 18,036,000		18,468,000
Area of leased property (in square feet) \| ft²			19,467		19,467
Nanjing Jin Mei Gallium Co., Ltd [Member] \| Other income (expense), net
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Income from agency sales			$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,000
Beijing JiYa Semiconductor Material Co., Ltd [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amount of loan under note agreement								$ 1,600,000
Number of equity method investees to whom loan was granted \| item								1
Term of loan					2 years 10 months
Number of installments \| installment			3		3
Related party notes receivable - long term			$ 1,600,000		$ 1,600,000
Accounts payable			2,600,000		2,600,000		2,400,000
Accounts receivable			$ 417,000		$ 417,000		473,000
Beijing Tongmei Xtal Technology [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Area of leased property (in square feet) \| ft²			22,081		22,081
Lease term					10 years
Annual lease payment					$ 24,000
Increase in annual lease payment at each third year anniversary (in hundredths)			5.00%		5.00%
Payments to purchase materials					$ 112,000
Additional loan paid to related party		$ 45,000
Interest on loan (in hundredths)			6.15%		6.15%
Principal and interest on loan			$ 51,000		$ 51,000
Beijing Tongmei Xtal Technology [Member] \| Emeishan Jia Mei High Purity Metals Co., Ltd [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Accounts payable			292,000		292,000		70,000
Beijing Tongmei Xtal Technology [Member] \| Xilingol Tongli Germanium Co. Ltd [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Accounts payable			400,000		400,000		0
Beijing Kaide Quartz Co. Ltd [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Accounts payable			$ 398,000		$ 398,000		$ 379,000
Beijing BoYu Semiconductor Vessel Craftwork Technology Co [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest on loan (in hundredths)	2.75%
Personal loan	$ 181,000