Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 01, 2011	Jul. 02, 2011	Apr. 02, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Leases
Total rental expense under operating leases									$ 29,667	$ 26,351	$ 28,194
Future minimum lease payments for operating leases [Abstract]
2013	24,991								24,991
2014	20,814								20,814
2015	17,411								17,411
2016	12,709								12,709
2017	10,216								10,216
Thereafter	17,939								17,939
Capital lease obligations	39								39
Environmental Matters
Accrued environmental liabilities	24,573								24,573
Accrued environmental liabilities, current	11,650								11,650
Accrued environmental liabilities, noncurrent	12,923								12,923
Estimated purchase commitments [Abstract]
2013	36,776								36,776
2014	40,319								40,319
2015	45,030								45,030
2016	46,303								46,303
2017	35,461								35,461
Actual purchases from subcontractors									36,419
Executive Employment Agreements
Period of royalty payment following termination of employment (in years)									10
Royalty Payment Percentage (in hundredths)									5.00%
Present value of royalties, minimum													370,000
Present value of royalties, maximum													445,000
Executive payment made upon amended and restated agreement												10,000
Annual Executive Payment									10,000
Executive employment agreement charge	0	0	0	0	0	(1,873)	(3,889)	0	0	5,762	0
Executive employment agreement liability, noncurrent	9,731								9,731
Executive employment agreement liability, current	10,000								10,000
Dr. Felix Zandman [Member]
Executive Employment Agreements
Executive employment agreement charge										3,889
Dr. Lior Yahalomi [Member]
Executive Employment Agreements
Executive employment agreement charge										1,873
General Semiconductor [Member]
Environmental Matters
Accrued environmental liabilities	14,964								14,964
Other Sites [Member]
Environmental Matters
Accrued environmental liabilities	9,609								9,609
VPG [Member]
Leases
Total rental expense under operating leases											$ 1,789