Industry Segment Operations (Details 2)	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. [Member]
Companies accounted for at least 10 percent of Applied's net sales
Accounted net sales in percent	12.00%
Accounts receivable for those customers that accounted for at least 10% of Applied's net sales
Percentage of accounts receivable total that two customers accounted for	5.00%
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited [Member]
Companies accounted for at least 10 percent of Applied's net sales
Accounted net sales in percent	11.00%
Accounts receivable for those customers that accounted for at least 10% of Applied's net sales
Percentage of accounts receivable total that two customers accounted for	9.00%