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Stock Compensation Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]    
Common stock, shares issued 118,071,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued 117,434,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued
Common Stock    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]    
Common stock, shares issued 76,234us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember		  
Employee Stock Purchase Plan | Common Stock    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]    
Common stock, shares issued 158,404us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= sqnm_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember		  
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock $ 0.7us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= sqnm_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
/ us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis
= us-gaap_CommonStockMember