SUPPLEMENTARY QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 01, 2011	Jul. 01, 2011	Apr. 01, 2011	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011
SUPPLEMENTARY QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
Net sales	$ 141,643	$ 142,881	$ 153,655	$ 157,167	$ 160,913	$ 125,598	$ 130,132	$ 128,411	$ 595,346	$ 545,054	$ 479,787
Gross profit	62,828	62,808	66,883	68,069	66,398	55,783	59,672	57,876	260,588	239,729	205,296
Net income (loss) attributable to Newport Corporation	$ (112,805)	$ 7,636	$ 9,154	$ 6,592	$ 34,525	$ 10,502	$ 13,922	$ 20,759	$ (89,423)	$ 79,708	$ 41,113
Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Newport Corporation (in dollars per share)	$ (2.96)	$ 0.20	$ 0.24	$ 0.17	$ 0.92	$ 0.28	$ 0.37	$ 0.56	$ (2.35)	$ 2.13	$ 1.12
Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to the entity (in dollars per share)	$ (2.96)	$ 0.20	$ 0.24	$ 0.17	$ 0.90	$ 0.27	$ 0.36	$ 0.53	$ (2.35)	$ 2.06	$ 1.09