Restructuring charges (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				3 Months Ended							3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2009 Previous Actions [Member] Jobs	Mar. 31, 2012 Previous Actions [Member] Employee severance and benefits charges reserves [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Previous Actions [Member] Business restructuring impairments and other charges [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] facilities	Mar. 31, 2012 Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Employee severance and benefits charges reserves [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Business restructuring impairments and other charges [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Accelerated depreciation of facility assets [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Other exit costs [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Total costs expected to be recognized from announcement date to middle of next fiscal year [Member] Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Total costs expected to be recognized from announcement date to middle of next fiscal year [Member] Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Employee severance and benefits charges reserves [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Total costs expected to be recognized from announcement date to middle of next fiscal year [Member] Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Accelerated depreciation of facility assets [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Total costs expected to be recognized from announcement date to middle of next fiscal year [Member] Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Other exit costs [Member]
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]
Restructuring and related activities, Number of facilities closing											2
Additional restructuring and related charges																		$ 215	$ 135	$ 30	$ 50
Restructuring charges	10		0						10							5	5
Number of jobs eliminated (in jobs)				3,900
Changes in Accrued Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning accrual	116				13		7					96		0
Restructuring charges	10				0		0			122		0		10
Non-cash items	(3)	[1]			0	[1]	0	[1]				3	[1]	(6)	[1]
Payments	(6)				(3)		0					(2)		(1)
Remaining accrual	$ 117				$ 10		$ 7					$ 97		$ 3

[1] Reflects charges for curtailment and special termination benefits relating to the postretirement benefit plans and accelerated depreciation.