Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	NEWPORT CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000225263
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 03, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-02
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		38,576,708
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3