Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 78,035	$ 56,888	$ 217,500	$ 169,059
Cost of revenues	39,031	31,745	112,402	94,334
Gross margin	39,004	25,143	105,098	74,725
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	15,280	14,500	46,493	43,059
Research and development	10,691	10,543	33,220	33,482
Severance and other charges (credits)	(10)		340
Total operating expenses	25,961	25,043	80,053	76,541
Income (loss) from operations	13,043	100	25,045	(1,816)
Other income (expense), net:
Total unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net	32	34	88	91
Less: portion of gains recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(30)	(31)	(82)	(82)
Net credit gains recognized in earnings	2	3	6	9
Other income (expense), net	230	306	612	985
Total other income (expense), net	232	309	618	994
Income (loss) before income taxes	13,275	409	25,663	(822)
Less: Provision for income taxes	227	371	724	539
Consolidated net income (loss)	13,048	38	24,939	(1,361)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	36	49	124	83
Net income (loss) attributable to Vicor Corporation	$ 13,012	$ (11)	$ 24,815	$ (1,444)
Net income (loss) per common share attributable to Vicor Corporation:
Basic	$ 0.32	$ 0.00	$ 0.62	$ (0.04)
Diluted	$ 0.32	$ 0.00	$ 0.61	$ (0.04)
Shares used to compute net income (loss) per common share attributable to Vicor Corporation:
Basic	40,120	39,288	39,769	39,177
Diluted	41,124	39,288	40,645	39,177