Minimum LIBOR interest rate for debt instrument.

No definition available.

Name:	aaoi_DebtInstrumentLIBORFloor
Namespace Prefix:	aaoi_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The term of the draw under debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aaoi_DebtInstrumentTermOfDraw
Namespace Prefix:	aaoi_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of commitment fees, represented as a percentage of total borrowing capacity, for the unused borrowing capacity under the long-term financing arrangement that is available to the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aaoi_DebtInstrumentUnusedBorrowingCapacityFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	aaoi_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the minimum threshold amount for the fixed charge ratio before financial covenants may apply to the associated debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aaoi_FixedChargeCoverRatioMinimumThreshold
Namespace Prefix:	aaoi_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the percentage of maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility under which the entity is not required to comply with financial covenants associated with the credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aaoi_LineOfCreditFacilityPercentageOfMaximumBorrowingCapacityThresholdForFinancialCovenants
Namespace Prefix:	aaoi_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of the financial institution's obligation to pay the holder of the customer's draft which the financial institution has guaranteed (i.e., Banker's Acceptance).

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of cash collateral held for borrowed securities, for which the cash is restricted as to withdrawal or usage.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.(a),2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

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

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, before unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123466204&loc=SL6031897-161870

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

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

- Definition

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

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1B
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123466505&loc=SL123495323-112611

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of unused borrowing capacity under the long-term financing arrangement that is available to the entity as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of cash outflow for principal payment on finance lease.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123391704&loc=SL77918643-209977

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 842
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (g)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123408670&loc=SL77918686-209980

+ Details

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

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

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

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash inflow from a debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3255-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	srt_CounterpartyNameAxis=aaoi_ChaileaseFinanceCoLtdMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=aaoi_PromissoryNoteMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionDescriptionAxis=aaoi_SecondSalesContractMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_StatementScenarioAxis=srt_ScenarioForecastMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aaoi_PaycheckProtectionProgramCARESActMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aaoi_TheNT100MCreditLineMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=aaoi_TruistBankMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=aaoi_TaishinInternationalBankMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aaoi_TheUS1MCreditLineMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=aaoi_TaishinInternationalBankInTaiwanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=aaoi_ChinaConstructionBankCoLtdMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aaoi_ChinaMerchantsCreditLineMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=aaoi_ChinaMerchantsBankCoLtdMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=aaoi_SPDBankMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aaoi_TheSPDCreditLineMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=aaoi_ChinaZheshangBankCoLtdMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aaoi_The100MCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aaoi_The50MCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Note 11 - Notes Payable and Long-term Debt (Details Textual)											9 Months Ended
	Jan. 21, 2022 USD ($)	Apr. 05, 2021 USD ($)	Oct. 07, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 15, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 15, 2020 TWD ($)	Apr. 17, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Jun. 21, 2019 USD ($)	May 24, 2019 USD ($)	Apr. 19, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2021 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Oct. 19, 2020 USD ($)	Oct. 19, 2020 CNY (¥)	Oct. 07, 2020 TWD ($)	Jun. 21, 2019 CNY (¥)	May 24, 2019 CNY (¥)	Apr. 19, 2019 CNY (¥)	Mar. 05, 2019 USD ($)	Jan. 21, 2019 USD ($)	Nov. 29, 2018 USD ($)
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total											$ 5,555,000	$ 12,132,000
Finance Lease, Principal Payments											13,000	13,000
Long-term Debt, Gross											60,554,000		$ 52,187,000
Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount											4,900,000		28,700,000
Cash Collateral for Borrowed Securities											4,300,000		5,400,000
Chailease Finance Co, Ltd. [Member] \| Promissory Note [Member]
Long-term Debt, Gross											$ 361,000		$ 1,941,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage											3.50%		3.50%
Chailease Finance Co, Ltd. [Member] \| Prime World International Holdings, Ltd. (“Prime World”) [Member] \| Promissory Note [Member]
Finance Lease, Principal Payments				$ 5,500,000
Chailease Finance Co, Ltd. [Member] \| Prime World International Holdings, Ltd. (“Prime World”) [Member] \| Second Sales Contract [Member]
Finance Lease, Principal Payments					$ 159,027,448
Long-term Debt, Gross																					$ 700,000
Chailease Finance Co, Ltd. [Member] \| Prime World International Holdings, Ltd. (“Prime World”) [Member] \| Second Sales Contract [Member] \| Promissory Note [Member]
Long-term Debt, Gross																						$ 400,000
Chailease Finance Co, Ltd. [Member] \| Prime World International Holdings, Ltd. (“Prime World”) [Member] \| Forecast [Member]
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total	$ 800,000
Paycheck Protection Program, CARES Act [Member]
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt, Total						$ 6,230,000
Long-term Debt, Gross											$ 0		$ 6,229,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage											1.00%		1.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| The NT$100M Credit Line [Member] \| Prime World International Holdings, Ltd. (“Prime World”) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity																$ 100,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Truist Bank [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		$ 20,000,000					$ 20,000,000													$ 25,000,000
Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Fee, Percentage							0.30%
Fixed Charge Cover Ratio, Minimum Threshold							1.5
Line of Credit Facility, Percentage of Maximum Borrowing Capacity, Threshold for Financial Covenants							75.00%
Debt Instrument, LIBOR Floor		0.75%
Long-term Line of Credit, Total											$ 19,300,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Truist Bank [Member] \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		1.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Taishin International Bank [Member] \| The NT$100M Credit Line [Member] \| Prime World International Holdings, Ltd. (“Prime World”) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			$ 3,440,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Taishin International Bank [Member] \| The US $1M Credit Line [Member] \| Prime World International Holdings, Ltd. (“Prime World”) [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			$ 1,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Taishin International Bank in Taiwan [Member] \| The NT$100M Credit Line [Member] \| Prime World International Holdings, Ltd. (“Prime World”) [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			2.15%													2.15%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Taishin International Bank in Taiwan [Member] \| The NT$100M Credit Line [Member] \| Prime World International Holdings, Ltd. (“Prime World”) [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Term of Draw (Day)			90 days
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| Taishin International Bank in Taiwan [Member] \| The NT$100M Credit Line [Member] \| Prime World International Holdings, Ltd. (“Prime World”) [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Term of Draw (Day)			120 days
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| China Construction Bank Co., Ltd. [Member] \| China Merchants Credit Line [Member] \| Global Technology, Inc. [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity														$ 8,900,000	¥ 60,000,000				¥ 60,000,000
Long-term Line of Credit, Total											0
Debt Instrument, Term (Month)										12 months
Bank Acceptances Executed											2,600,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| China Merchants Bank Co, Ltd [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity											8,917,000		$ 8,917,000
Long-term Debt, Gross											$ 0		$ 2,299,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage											4.50%		4.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| China Merchants Bank Co, Ltd [Member] \| China Merchants Credit Line [Member] \| Global Technology, Inc. [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity										$ 8,900,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| SPD Bank [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity											$ 25,449,000		$ 25,449,000
Long-term Debt, Gross											$ 17,924,000		$ 11,603,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| SPD Bank [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage											3.01%		3.01%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| SPD Bank [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage											4.57%		4.57%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| SPD Bank [Member] \| The SPD Credit Line [Member] \| Global Technology, Inc. [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity									$ 25,400,000									¥ 180,000,000
Long-term Line of Credit, Total												17,900,000
Debt Instrument, Term (Month)									5 years
Bank Acceptances Executed												$ 3,900,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| China Zheshang Bank Co., Ltd [Member] \| The ¥100M Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity											$ 14,125,000
Long-term Debt, Gross											$ 14,892,000		$ 0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage											3.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| China Zheshang Bank Co., Ltd [Member] \| The ¥100M Credit Facility [Member] \| Global Technology, Inc. [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity								$ 14,100,000			$ 14,900,000						¥ 100,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term (Month)								18 months
Bank Acceptances Executed											0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| China Zheshang Bank Co., Ltd [Member] \| The ¥50M Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity											7,167,000
Long-term Debt, Gross											$ 7,401,000		$ 7,510,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage											5.70%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| China Zheshang Bank Co., Ltd [Member] \| The ¥50M Credit Facility [Member] \| Global Technology, Inc. [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity								$ 7,100,000									¥ 50,000,000
Long-term Line of Credit, Total											$ 7,400,000
Debt Instrument, Term (Month)								3 years