Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011	Jan. 02, 2010
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 545,054	$ 479,787	$ 366,989
Cost of sales	305,325	274,491	224,387
Gross profit	239,729	205,296	142,602
Selling, general and administrative expenses	140,636	112,754	112,177
Research and development expense	45,270	39,278	36,948
Loss on sale of assets and related costs		542	4,355
Impairment charges			360
Operating income (loss)	53,823	52,722	(11,238)
Recovery of note receivable and other amounts related to previously discontinued operations, net	619		101
Foreign currency translation gain from dissolution of subsidiary	7,198
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt	(582)		328
Interest and other expense, net	(10,550)	(8,481)	(8,564)
Income (loss) before income taxes	50,508	44,241	(19,373)
Income tax provision (benefit)	(29,154)	3,128	(1,967)
Net income (loss)	79,662	41,113	(17,406)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests	(46)
Net income (loss) attributable to Newport Corporation	$ 79,708	$ 41,113	$ (17,406)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Newport Corporation:
Basic	$ 2.13	$ 1.12	$ (0.48)
Diluted	$ 2.06	$ 1.09	$ (0.48)
Shares used in the computation of income (loss) per share:
Basic	37,407	36,647	36,175
Diluted	38,673	37,726	36,175