CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 25,792	$ 30,634	[1]
Short-term investments	6,540	10,270	[1]
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $270 and $245 as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	17,014	17,912	[1]
Inventories	38,768	40,352	[1]
Related party notes receivable - current	2,047	2,036	[1]
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,034	5,268	[1]
Total current assets	97,195	106,472	[1]
Long-term investments	17,038	9,191	[1]
Property, plant and equipment, net	37,477	37,235	[1]
Related party notes receivable - long-term	418	416	[1]
Other assets	14,196	14,275	[1]
Total assets	166,324	167,589	[1]
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	6,581	5,894	[1]
Accrued liabilities	9,434	7,202	[1]
Total current liabilities	16,015	13,096	[1]
Long-term portion of royalty payments	3,125	3,325	[1]
Other long-term liabilities	148	254	[1]
Total liabilities	19,288	16,675	[1]
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)			[1]
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 2,000 shares authorized; 883 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (Liquidation preference of $6.0 million and $5.9 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)	3,532	3,532	[1]
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share; 70,000 shares authorized; 32,654 and 32,471 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	32	32	[1]
Additional paid-in capital	193,651	193,063	[1]
Accumulated deficit	(61,447)	(59,047)	[1]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	6,366	6,033	[1]
AXT, Inc. stockholders' equity	142,134	143,613	[1]
Noncontrolling interests	4,902	7,301	[1]
Total stockholders' equity	147,036	150,914	[1]
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 166,324	$ 167,589	[1]

[1] The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date.