NET INCOME PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
NET INCOME PER SHARE
Net income attributable to Newport Corporation	$ 8,664us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 7,886us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Shares:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	39,601	39,525
Dilutive potential common shares, using treasury stock method	959	974
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	40,560	40,499
Net income per share attributable to Newport Corporation:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.20us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.19us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted

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