Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

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+ Details

- Definition

Loss recognized during the period that results from the write-down of goodwill after comparing the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Goodwill is assessed at least annually for impairment.

+ References

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+ Details

Components of Goodwill By Business Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2009	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill Beginning Balance		$ 663,096	$ 663,096
Acquisitions and adjustments during fiscal year		36,589
Goodwill Ending Balance		699,685	663,096	663,096
Accumulated Goodwill Impairments Beginning Balance		(614,958)	(614,958)
Impairments recorded during fiscal year	(71,800)			(71,800)
Accumulated Goodwill Impairments Ending Balance		(614,958)	(614,958)	(614,958)
Goodwill		84,727	48,138
Brooks Product Solutions
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill Beginning Balance		485,844	485,844
Goodwill Ending Balance		485,844	485,844
Accumulated Goodwill Impairments Beginning Balance		(437,706)	(437,706)
Impairments recorded during fiscal year
Accumulated Goodwill Impairments Ending Balance		(437,706)	(437,706)
Goodwill		48,138	48,138
Brooks Global Services
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill Beginning Balance		151,238	151,238
Goodwill Ending Balance		151,238	151,238
Accumulated Goodwill Impairments Beginning Balance		(151,238)	(151,238)
Impairments recorded during fiscal year
Accumulated Goodwill Impairments Ending Balance		(151,238)	(151,238)
Brooks Life Science Systems
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquisitions and adjustments during fiscal year		36,589
Goodwill Ending Balance		36,589
Impairments recorded during fiscal year
Goodwill		36,589
Contract Manufacturing
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill Beginning Balance		18,593	18,593
Goodwill Ending Balance		18,593	18,593
Accumulated Goodwill Impairments Beginning Balance		(18,593)	(18,593)
Impairments recorded during fiscal year
Accumulated Goodwill Impairments Ending Balance		(18,593)	(18,593)
Other
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill Beginning Balance		7,421	7,421
Goodwill Ending Balance		7,421	7,421
Accumulated Goodwill Impairments Beginning Balance		(7,421)	(7,421)
Impairments recorded during fiscal year
Accumulated Goodwill Impairments Ending Balance		$ (7,421)	$ (7,421)