Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) And Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Capital In Excess Of Par Value [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income[Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Newport Corporation Stockhlders' Equity [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]	Total
Balance at Jan. 03, 2009 (As Reported [Member])	$ 4,207	$ 407,047	$ 6,291	$ (152,348)	$ 265,197		$ 265,197
Balance (Adjusted [Member])	4,207	417,865	6,291	(163,166)	265,197		265,197
Balance, shares at Jan. 03, 2009 (As Reported [Member])	36,049
Balance, shares (Adjusted [Member])	36,049
Reclassification due to tax benefit on stock option exercises		10,818		(10,818)
Net income (loss)				(17,406)	(17,406)		(17,406)
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)			2,394		2,394		2,394
Unrecognized net pension loss, net of income tax			(607)		(607)		(607)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of income tax			2,301		2,301		2,301
Comprehensive income (loss)					(13,318)		(13,318)
Issuance of common stock under employee plans	31	734			765		765
Issuance of common stock under employee plans, shares	267
Extinguishment of equity component of long-term debt		(340)			(340)		(340)
Stock-based compensation expense		2,332			2,332		2,332
Balance at Jan. 02, 2010	4,238	420,591	10,379	(180,572)	254,636		254,636
Balance, shares at Jan. 02, 2010	36,316
Net income (loss)				41,113	41,113		41,113
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)			(4,871)		(4,871)		(4,871)
Unrecognized net pension loss, net of income tax			(1,007)		(1,007)		(1,007)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of income tax			(465)		(465)		(465)
Comprehensive income (loss)					34,770		34,770
Issuance of common stock under employee plans	83	2,465			2,548		2,548
Issuance of common stock under employee plans, shares	709
Tax withholding payment related to net share settlement of equity awards	(14)	(1,329)			(1,343)		(1,343)
Tax withholding payment related to net share settlement of equity awards, shares	(116)
Stock-based compensation expense		4,848			4,848		4,848
Balance at Jan. 01, 2011	4,307	426,575	4,036	(139,459)	295,459		295,459
Balance, shares at Jan. 01, 2011	36,909
Net income (loss)				79,708	79,708	(46)	79,662
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)			(10,211)		(10,211)	(11)	(10,222)
Unrecognized net pension loss, net of income tax			551		551		551
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of income tax			(365)		(365)		(365)
Comprehensive income (loss)					69,683	(57)	69,626
Non-controlling interests in companies acquired						2,076	2,076
Issuance of common stock under employee plans	110	3,378			3,488		3,488
Issuance of common stock under employee plans, shares	936
Extinguishment of equity component of long-term debt		(1,489)			(1,489)		(1,489)
Tax withholding payment related to net share settlement of equity awards	(25)	(3,423)			(3,448)		(3,448)
Tax withholding payment related to net share settlement of equity awards, shares	(211)
Stock-based compensation expense		6,201			6,201		6,201
Tax benefits from stock-based compensation		364			364		364
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 4,392	$ 431,606	$ (5,989)	$ (59,751)	$ 370,258	$ 2,019	$ 372,277
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	37,634