Amortization period of debt issuance costs for Convertible Notes

No definition available.

Name:	affx_AmortizationPeriodForDebtIssuanceCostConvertibleNotes
Namespace Prefix:	affx_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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

Name:	affx_DebtInstrument350ConvertibleInterestExpense
Namespace Prefix:	affx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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

Name:	affx_DebtInstrument400ConvertibleInterestExpense
Namespace Prefix:	affx_
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

Name:	affx_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionRatio1
Namespace Prefix:	affx_
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
Namespace Prefix:	affx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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:	xbrli:durationItemType
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_NumberofConsecutiveTradingDaysWithinMeasurementPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	affx_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
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:	xbrli:durationItemType
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

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

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	affx_ProceedsFromConvertibleDebt400
Namespace Prefix:	affx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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:	instant

- 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

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

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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

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

LONG-TERM DEBT OBLIGATIONS, Convertible Senior Notes (Details) (USD $)		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Jun. 25, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 4.00% Convertible Senior Notes	Jun. 25, 2012 4.00% Convertible Senior Notes	Mar. 31, 2012 3.50% Senior Convertible Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes		$ 105,000,000	$ 105,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.00%	4.00%	3.50%
Debt issuance costs			3,900,000
Net proceeds from 4.00% convertible senior notes			101,100,000
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			170.0319
Maximum number of shares upon conversion of the 4.00% Notes			17,857,143
Aggregate principal amount of senior convertible notes repurchased	1,000
Conversion price of convertible debt	$ 5.88
Percentage of common stock above conversion price (in hundredths)			130.00%
Number of consecutive trading days within measurement period			20 days
Number of consecutive trading days on which trading price is examined for triggering of conversion			30 days
Number of trading days to trigger measurement period within date company provides notice of redemption			5 days
Percentage of Principal Amount That The Redemption Price Will Be Equal To			100.00%
Debt Instrument, 4.00% Convertible, Interest Expense		2,400,000
Repurchase of Convertible Debt, including accrued interest				3,900,000
Debt Instrument, 3.50% Convertible, Interest Expense Paid With Repurchase				$ 100,000