Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Business Segment Information
Number of operating segments			5
Number of Divisions			5
Revenue:
Product and service revenue between reportable segments	$ (4.8)	$ (2.1)	$ (7.6)	$ (5.4)
Total revenue	401.2	300.9	758.2	578.6
Operating Income (Loss):
Total operating income	38.7	37.9	64.4	64.8
Assets:
Total assets	1,699.9		1,699.9		1,549.8
Scientific Instruments
Revenue:
Total revenue	377.9	284.9	713.7	545.2
Operating Income (Loss):
Total operating income	38.3	40.4	66.0	68.1
Assets:
Total assets	1,654.9		1,654.9		1,515.8
Energy and Supercon Technologies
Revenue:
Total revenue	28.1	18.1	52.1	38.8
Operating Income (Loss):
Total operating income	0.4	(1.7)	(0.3)	(2.2)
Assets:
Total assets	108.3		108.3		84.4
Corporate, eliminations and other
Operating Income (Loss):
Total operating income		(0.8)	(1.3)	(1.1)
Assets:
Total assets	$ (63.3)		$ (63.3)		$ (50.4)