Balance Sheet Components - Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Intangible Assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 966,000	$ 966,000	$ 2,052,000
Accumulated Amortization	922,000	922,000	699,000
Total	44,000	44,000	1,353,000
Amortization expense recognized		238,000	217,000
Impairment of intangibles	1,202,000	1,202,000	0
Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets
2017	4,000	4,000
2018	4,000	4,000
2019	4,000	4,000
2020	4,000	4,000
2021	4,000	4,000
Thereafter	24,000	24,000
SemiLEDs
Intangible Assets
Total	2,000	$ 2,000	56,000
Patents and trademarks
Intangible Assets
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)		15 years
Gross Carrying Amount	487,000	$ 487,000	1,390,000
Accumulated Amortization	443,000	443,000	333,000
Total	44,000	$ 44,000	1,057,000
Acquired technology
Intangible Assets
Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)		5 years
Gross Carrying Amount	479,000	$ 479,000	662,000
Accumulated Amortization	$ 479,000	$ 479,000	366,000
Total			$ 296,000