Net Income Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 02, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 02, 2011
Net Income Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Newport Corporation	$ 9,154	$ 13,922	$ 15,746	$ 34,681
Shares:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	38,220	37,477	37,975	37,241
Dilutive potential common shares, using treasury stock method	678	1,311	940	1,571
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	38,898	38,788	38,915	38,812
Net income per share attributable to Newport Corporation:
Basic	$ 0.24	$ 0.37	$ 0.41	$ 0.93
Diluted	$ 0.24	$ 0.36	$ 0.40	$ 0.89