Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 200,280	$ 220,194	$ 225,731
Cost of revenues	109,071	120,676	128,611
Gross margin	91,209	99,518	97,120
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	55,675	58,313	68,197
Research and development	41,848	41,472	41,479
Severance and other charges			2,207
Total operating expenses	97,523	99,785	111,883
Loss from operations	(6,314)	(267)	(14,763)
Other income (expense), net:
Total unrealized (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities, net	(18)	(49)	750
Portion of gains (losses) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	31	61	(439)
Net credit gains recognized in earnings	13	12	311
Other income (expense), net	271	13	(43)
Total other income (expense), net	284	25	268
Loss before income taxes	(6,030)	(242)	(14,495)
Less: Provision (benefit) for income taxes	231	(401)	(425)
Gain from sale of equity method investment, net of tax		5,000
Consolidated net income (loss)	(6,261)	5,159	(14,070)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(14)	232	(183)
Net income (loss) attributable to Vicor Corporation	$ (6,247)	$ 4,927	$ (13,887)
Net income (loss) per common share attributable to Vicor Corporation:
Basic	$ (0.16)	$ 0.13	$ (0.36)
Diluted	$ (0.16)	$ 0.13	$ (0.36)
Shares used to compute net income (loss) per common share attributable to Vicor Corporation:
Basic	38,842	38,754	38,569
Diluted	38,842	39,146	38,569