Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 58,402	$ 55,091	$ 164,996	$ 143,902
Cost of revenues	32,852	32,111	93,992	85,854
Gross margin	25,550	22,980	71,004	58,048
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	17,354	14,478	52,367	43,820
Research and development	10,345	9,857	31,239	29,700
Severance and other charges	1,983		1,983	1,361
Total operating expenses	29,682	24,335	85,589	74,881
Loss from operations	(4,132)	(1,355)	(14,585)	(16,833)
Other income (expense), net:
Total unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net	60	65	139	103
Portion of gains recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(41)	(64)	(100)	(181)
Net credit gains (losses) recognized in earnings	19	1	39	(78)
Other income (expense), net	(83)	50	9	90
Total other income (expense), net	(64)	51	48	12
Loss before income taxes	(4,196)	(1,304)	(14,537)	(16,821)
Benefit for income taxes	(527)	(406)	(510)	(6,337)
Consolidated net loss	(3,669)	(898)	(14,027)	(10,484)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	5	34	(140)	54
Net loss attributable to Vicor Corporation	$ (3,674)	$ (932)	$ (13,887)	$ (10,538)
Net loss per common share attributable to Vicor Corporation:
Basic	$ (0.10)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.36)	$ (0.27)
Diluted	$ (0.10)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.36)	$ (0.27)
Shares used to compute net loss per share attributable to Vicor Corporation:
Basic	38,552	38,538	38,545	39,414
Diluted	38,552	38,538	38,545	39,414