NET INCOME PER SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Oct. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
NET INCOME PER SHARE
Net income attributable to Newport Corporation	$ 7,103	$ 9,470	$ 21,537	$ 26,308
Shares:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	38,982	39,921	39,434	39,776
Dilutive potential common shares, using treasury stock method	392	691	632	770
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	39,374	40,612	40,066	40,546
Net income per share attributable to Newport Corporation:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18	$ 0.24	$ 0.55	$ 0.66
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18	$ 0.23	$ 0.54	$ 0.65