Segment and Geographic Information - Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	$ 826,426	$ 634,222	$ 577,344
Gross profit	367,366	269,264	229,504
Number of Customers Representing More Than 10% of Revenue	0	0	0
Electronics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	259,730	222,795	126,417
Gross profit	137,032	111,925	61,656
Materials Science [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	292,092	182,430	231,462
Gross profit	125,891	74,718	97,317
Life Sciences [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	102,777	74,555	81,824
Gross profit	47,101	30,566	28,422
Service and Components [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	171,827	154,442	137,641
Gross profit	$ 57,342	$ 52,055	$ 42,109