Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Newport Corporation stockholders' equity	Common Stock	Capital in excess of par value	Accumulated other comprehensive income	Accumulated deficit	Non-controlling interests
Balance at Jan. 02, 2010	$ 254,636	$ 254,636	$ 4,238	$ 420,591	$ 10,379	$ (180,572)
Balance (in shares) at Jan. 02, 2010			36,316
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	41,113	41,113				41,113
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	(4,871)	(4,871)			(4,871)
Unrecognized net pension gain (loss), net of income tax of $489, $503 and $1,389 for the year ended 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively	(1,007)	(1,007)			(1,007)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	(465)	(465)			(465)
Issuance of common stock under employee plans	2,548	2,548	83	2,465
Issuance of common stock under employee plans (in shares)			709
Tax withholding payment related to net share settlement of equity awards	(1,343)	(1,343)	(14)	(1,329)
Tax withholding payment related to net share settlement of equity awards (in shares)			(116)
Stock-based compensation expense	4,848	4,848		4,848
Balance at Jan. 01, 2011	295,459	295,459	4,307	426,575	4,036	(139,459)
Balance (in shares) at Jan. 01, 2011			36,909
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	79,662	79,708				79,708	(46)
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	(10,222)	(10,211)			(10,211)		(11)
Unrecognized net pension gain (loss), net of income tax of $489, $503 and $1,389 for the year ended 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively	551	551			551
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	(365)	(365)			(365)
Non-controlling interests in companies acquired	2,076						2,076
Issuance of common stock under employee plans	3,488	3,488	110	3,378
Issuance of common stock under employee plans (in shares)			936
Tax withholding payment related to net share settlement of equity awards	(3,448)	(3,448)	(25)	(3,423)
Tax withholding payment related to net share settlement of equity awards (in shares)			(211)
Extinguishment of equity component of long-term debt	(1,489)	(1,489)		(1,489)
Stock-based compensation expense	6,201	6,201		6,201
Tax benefits from stock-based compensation, net	364	364		364
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	372,277	370,258	4,392	431,606	(5,989)	(59,751)	2,019
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011			37,634
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	(89,950)	(89,423)				(89,423)	(527)
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	1,169	1,235			1,235		(66)
Unrecognized net pension gain (loss), net of income tax of $489, $503 and $1,389 for the year ended 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively	(2,243)	(2,243)			(2,243)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	48	48			48
Issuance of common stock under employee plans	3,599	3,599	111	3,488
Issuance of common stock under employee plans (in shares)			948
Purchase from non-controlling interest shareholder	(40)						(40)
Tax withholding payment related to net share settlement of equity awards	(3,066)	(3,066)	(22)	(3,044)
Tax withholding payment related to net share settlement of equity awards (in shares)			(180)
Stock-based compensation expense	8,369	8,369		8,369
Tax benefits from stock-based compensation, net	655	655		655
Balance at Dec. 29, 2012	$ 290,818	$ 289,432	$ 4,481	$ 441,074	$ (6,949)	$ (149,174)	$ 1,386
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 29, 2012			38,402