Amortization period of debt issuance costs for Convertible Notes

No definition available.

Name:	affx_AmortizationPeriodForDebtIssuanceCostConvertibleNotes
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date on which the 4.00% Notes will become redeemable

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Interest expense related to 3.50% convertible debt instruments which has been recognized for the period, including the contractual interest coupon and amortization of the debt discount, if any.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Interest expense related to 4.00% convertible debt instruments which has been recognized for the period, including the contractual interest coupon and amortization of the debt discount, if any.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The ratio applied to the debt for purposes of determining the number of shares of the equity security into which the debt will be converted.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of debt issuance costs (for example, but not limited to, legal, accounting, broker, and regulatory fees) for 4.00% Convertible Notes.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	affx_DebtIssuanceCostFourNotes
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

4.00% Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	affx_FourinterestRateStatedPercentage
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of shares of common stock if the 4.00% Notes are converted.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	affx_MaximumNumberOfSharesUponConversionOf400Notes
Namespace Prefix:	affx_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of consecutive trading days on which trading price is examined for triggering of conversion

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	affx_NumberOfConsecutiveTradingDaysOnWhichTradingPriceIsExaminedForTriggeringOfConversion
Namespace Prefix:	affx_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of consecutive trading days the Company's common stock has been above the threshold for conversion

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	affx_NumberOfTradingDaysCompanySCommonStockHasBeenAboveThresholdForConversion
Namespace Prefix:	affx_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of trading days to trigger measurement period within date Company provides notice of redemption

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	affx_NumberOfTradingDaysToTriggerMeasurementPeriodWithinDateCompanyProvidesNoticeOfRedemption
Namespace Prefix:	affx_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Conversion triggering common stock trading price as a percentage of price last reported in Measurement period converted at conversion rate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	affx_PercentageCompanySCommonStockHasBeenAboveConversionPrice
Namespace Prefix:	affx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage of principal amount that the redemption price will be equal to.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	affx_PercentageOfPrincipalAmountThatRedemptionPriceWillBeEqualTo
Namespace Prefix:	affx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Repurchase of Aggregate Principal Amount of Convertible Notes

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	affx_RepurchaseOfAggregatePrincipalAmountOfConvertibleNotes
Namespace Prefix:	affx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow from the repurchase of a long-term debt instrument which can be exchanged for a specified amount of another security, typically the entity's common stock, at the option of the issuer or the holder, including any accrued interest.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	affx_RepurchaseOfConvertibleDebtIncludingAccruedInterest
Namespace Prefix:	affx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying amount of debt identified as being convertible into another form of financial instrument (typically the entity's common stock) as of the balance sheet date, which originally required full repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the company.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16(a)(2))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtDisclosureAbstract
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- Definition

The price per share of the conversion feature embedded in the debt instrument.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 470

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928298&loc=SL6031898-161870

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number APB14-1

-Paragraph 32

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the charge against earnings during the period for commitment fees and debt issuance expenses.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 8

-Article 5

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow from the issuance of a long-term debt instrument which can be exchanged for a specified amount of another security, typically the entity's common stock, at the option of the issuer or the holder.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 19

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 18

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 14

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3255-108585

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Notes with the highest claim on the assets of the issuer in case of bankruptcy or liquidation (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer). Senior note holders are paid off in full before any payments are made to junior note holders.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

LONG-TERM DEBT OBLIGATIONS, Convertible Senior Notes (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	2 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 01, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Jun. 25, 2012
LONG-TERM DEBT OBLIGATIONS [Abstract]
4.00% Convertible Senior Notes Aggregate Principal Amount		$ 105,000			$ 105,000
Debt Issuance Cost Four Notes		3,900
Net proceeds from 4.00% convertible senior notes		101,062	0	0
4.00%, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					4.00%
Amortization period for debt issuance cost related to convertible notes		7 years
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Shares per $1,000 principal amount of 4.00% Convertible Senior Notes					170
Maximum number of shares upon conversion of the 4.00% Notes					17,857,143
Conversion price of convertible debt					$ 5.88
Date on which convertible notes will become redeemable					Jul. 01, 2017
Percentage of common stock above conversion price (in hundredths)					130.00%
Number of consecutive trading days within measurement period					20
Number of consecutive trading days on which trading price is examined for triggering of conversion					30
Number of trading days to trigger measurement period within date company provides notice of redemption					5
Percentage of Principal Amount That The Redemption Price Will Be Equal To					100.00%
Debt Instrument, 4.00% Convertible, Interest Expense		2,461
Aggregate principal amount of senior convertible notes repurchased		91,614
Repurchase of Convertible Debt, including accrued interest	3,922	92,059
Debt Instrument, 3.50% Convertible, Interest Expense Paid With Repurchase	67	445
Financing costs		262
3.50% Senior Convertible Notes Aggregate Principal Amount		$ 3,855