Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 65,402	$ 57,377	$ 135,857	$ 109,086
Cost of revenues	38,093	31,638	78,094	60,023
Gross margin	27,309	25,739	57,763	49,063
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	13,022	12,061	27,202	23,941
Research and development	9,903	9,037	19,757	17,905
Total operating expenses	22,925	21,098	46,959	41,846
Income from operations	4,384	4,641	10,804	7,217
Other income (expense), net:
Total other than temporary impairment gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	1,167	121	1,294	(358)
Portion of (gain) loss recognized in other comprehensive income	(807)	(120)	(927)	316
Net impairment gains (losses) recognized in earnings	360	1	367	(42)
Other income (expense), net:	186	424	(19)	534
Total other income (expense), net	546	425	348	492
Income before income taxes	4,930	5,066	11,152	7,709
Provision for income taxes	1,726	319	3,779	957
Consolidated net income	3,204	4,747	7,373	6,752
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	138		289	53
Net income attributable to Vicor Corporation	$ 3,066	$ 4,747	$ 7,084	$ 6,699
Net income per common share attributable to Vicor Corporation:
Basic	$ 0.07	$ 0.11	$ 0.17	$ 0.16
Diluted	$ 0.07	$ 0.11	$ 0.17	$ 0.16
Shares used to compute net income per share attributable to Vicor Corporation:
Basic	41,798	41,686	41,785	41,676
Diluted	41,887	41,752	41,873	41,726
Cash dividends per share		$ 0.30		$ 0.30