Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Mar. 31, 2011 CIGS Solar Systems Abandonment	Oct. 31, 2010 Metrology Segment Disposal	Mar. 31, 2012 Metrology Segment Disposal	Mar. 31, 2011 Metrology Segment Disposal	Dec. 31, 2011 Metrology Segment Disposal	Oct. 07, 2010 Metrology Segment Disposal	Aug. 15, 2010 Metrology Segment Disposal
Information related to discontinued operations
Sale amount of discontinued operations as per the agreement										$ 229,400,000
Working capital adjustment which is included in total proceeds									1,000,000
Proceeds from divestiture of businesses					230,400,000
Pre-tax deferred gain related to net assets in China						5,400,000		5,400,000
Cost of sales		1,631,000		1,631,000
Gross profit		(1,631,000)		(1,631,000)
Total operating expenses	81,000	6,406,000		5,908,000		81,000	498,000
Operating loss	(81,000)	(8,037,000)		(7,539,000)		(81,000)	(498,000)
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(50,000)	(5,337,000)		(4,896,000)		(50,000)	(441,000)
Assets
Amount of proceeds related to assets in China			$ 7,200,000