Discontinued Operations and Divestitures - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended							3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 15, 2015	Jan. 31, 2016	Apr. 30, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 27, 2013	May. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 26, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2015
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of business, net of transaction costs											$ 29,570,000
Gain (Loss) on sale of business, net of tax									$ (1,405,000)	$ (321,000)		$ (1,726,000)	$ (592,000)
Assets of discontinued operations									631,000		0	631,000
Liabilities of discontinued operations									$ 324,000		0	324,000
Semiconductor Systems
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of business, net of transaction costs							$ 9,700,000
Gain (Loss) on sale of business, net of tax													$ (400,000)
Settlement of closing working capital adjustments					$ 1,700,000
Laser Systems
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of business, net of transaction costs								$ 7,000,000
Gain (Loss) on sale of business, net of tax						$ (200,000)								$ 2,300,000
Settlement of closing working capital adjustments					$ (400,000)
JK Lasers Business
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of business, net of transaction costs	$ 29,600,000		$ 29,600,000
Pre-tax gain (loss) on sale of business			$ 19,600,000
Gain (Loss) on sale of business, net of tax	$ 19,600,000
Excel Laser Technology Private Limited
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Minority interest ownership percentage															50.00%
Discontinued Operation, Provision for Loss (Gain) on Disposal, before Income Tax												500,000
Ownership in joint venture, Excel Laser Technology Private Limited | Maximum
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Pre-tax gain (loss) on sale of business											$ (100,000)
Scientific Lasers Business
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of business, net of transaction costs				$ 6,500,000
Gain (Loss) on sale of business, net of tax												(1,700,000)
Sale proceeds held in escrow				$ 1,500,000
Sale proceeds held in escrow, Period											2016-01
Discontinued Operation, Provision for Loss (Gain) on Disposal, before Income Tax												$ 3,000,000
Scientific Lasers Business | Subsequent Event
Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Sale proceeds held in escrow		$ 1,500,000