CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS (Notes)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]

Cash and Cash Equivalents Disclosure [Text Block]

3. CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS:

The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company classifies its remaining investments as available-for-sale. These securities are carried at fair market value, with unrealized gains and losses reported in shareholders’ equity. Gains or losses on securities sold are based on the specific identification method. Investments as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consist of the following (in thousands):

	Amortized		Unrealized					Aggregate Fair
Investment Classification	Cost		Gains		(Losses)			Market Value
March 31, 2014
Certificates of deposit	$	10,881	$	4	$	(10	)	$	10,875
Corporate bonds	218,771		37		(17		)	218,791
U.S. Government bonds	4,075		—		—			4,075
Convertible notes	300		—		—			300
	$	234,027	$	41	$	(27	)	$	234,041
December 31, 2013
Certificates of deposit	$	11,358	$	2	$	(16	)	$	11,344
Corporate bonds	190,738		33		(48		)	190,723
U.S. Government bonds	3,074		—		—			3,074
Convertible notes	4,300		—		—			4,300
	$	209,470	$	35	$	(64	)	$	209,441

On July 13, 2012, the Company entered into a joint development agreement with Plextronics, Inc. (Plextronics), a private company engaged in printed solar, lighting and other electronics related research and development. The Company invested $4.0 million in Plextronics through the purchase of a convertible promissory note. The note accrued interest at the rate of 3% per year. The note was repaid in full during the first quarter of 2014. See Fair Value Measurements below for additional information regarding the note.

On July 17, 2012, the Company invested $300,000 in a private company engaged in plasma processing equipment research and development (the Borrower) through the purchase of a convertible promissory note. The note accrues interest at the rate of 5% per year and is due and payable by August 1, 2015. The note is included in investments on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company has the option to convert the note into shares of the Borrower’s preferred stock at a specified conversion price.

All short-term investments held at March 31, 2014 will mature within one year.