CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
Dividends accrued but not paid by joint ventures	$ 520	$ 534	$ 544

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