CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 18,371	$ 23,138	$ 59,445	$ 63,932
Cost of revenue	13,766	17,820	45,706	51,736
Gross profit	4,605	5,318	13,739	12,196
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	3,659	3,505	12,685	10,629
Research and development	1,657	1,160	4,287	2,922
Restructuring charge				907
Total operating expenses	5,316	4,665	16,972	14,458
Income (loss) from operations	(711)	653	(3,233)	(2,262)
Interest income, net	102	106	307	360
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures	167	390	777	1,502
Other income (expense), net	496	(236)	1,755	250
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	54	913	(394)	(150)
Provision for income taxes	7	43	334	254
Net income (loss)	47	870	(728)	(404)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(5)	(226)	(257)	(673)
Net income (loss) attributable to AXT, Inc.	$ 42	$ 644	$ (985)	$ (1,077)
Net income (loss) attributable to AXT, Inc. per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ (0.03)	$ (0.04)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ (0.03)	$ (0.04)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	31,988	32,504	32,262	32,416
Diluted (in shares)	31,988	32,738	32,262	32,416