Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 6) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Earnings Per Share
Net income attributable to Bruker Corporation	$ 12.8	$ 39.7	$ 9.9	$ 15.1	$ 39.1	$ 19.8	$ 22.1	$ 11.3	$ 77.5	$ 92.3	$ 95.4
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic									166.0	165.4	164.4
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and restricted stock (in shares)									1.4	1.5	1.3
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted									167.4	166.9	165.7
Net income per common share attributable to Bruker Corporation shareholders:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.08	$ 0.24	$ 0.06	$ 0.09	$ 0.24	$ 0.12	$ 0.13	$ 0.07	$ 0.47	$ 0.56	$ 0.58
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.08	$ 0.24	$ 0.06	$ 0.09	$ 0.23	$ 0.12	$ 0.13	$ 0.07	$ 0.46	$ 0.55	$ 0.58
Stock options.
Anti-dilutive securities
Number of shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share									0.6	0.1	0.7