Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (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
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Net revenue	$ 517.3	$ 447.8	$ 420.7	$ 405.6	$ 475.1	$ 418.4	$ 401.2	$ 357.0	$ 1,791.4	$ 1,651.7	$ 1,304.9
Gross profit	242.2	210.6	188.2	190.4	217.7	189.4	183.6	161.8	831.4	752.5	604.0
Operating income	39.2	60.3	22.1	34.4	53.7	37.5	38.7	25.7	156.0	155.6	155.7
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
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
Impairment of assets	$ 23.8								$ 23.8