Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
Net sales	$ 132,607	$ 157,167
Cost of sales	77,475	89,098
Gross profit	55,132	68,069
Selling, general and administrative expenses	37,608	44,060
Research and development expense	13,101	13,799
Operating income	4,423	10,210
Interest and other expense, net	(2,137)	(2,187)
Income before income taxes	2,286	8,023
Income tax provision (benefit)	(448)	1,435
Net income	2,734	6,588
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(12)	(4)
Net income attributable to Newport Corporation	2,746	6,592
Net income	2,734	6,588
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation gains (losses)	(2,452)	1,587
Unrecognized net pension gains (losses)	190	(16)
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities	(98)	33
Comprehensive income	374	8,192
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(61)	(46)
Comprehensive income attributable to Newport Corporation	435	8,238
Comprehensive income	$ 374	$ 8,192
Net income per share attributable to Newport Corporation:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ 0.17
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ 0.17
Shares used in per share calculations:
Basic (in shares)	38,601	37,731
Diluted (in shares)	39,260	38,931