Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013 segment	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating segments									2
Net revenue	$ 6,925	$ 10,398	$ 8,118	$ 9,357	$ 10,945	$ 24,300	$ 21,566	$ 24,728	$ 34,798	$ 81,539	$ 246,705
Operating loss									(19,994)	(32,984)	38,279
Capital expenditures									178	1,306	5,183
Depreciation and amortization									2,667	2,858	2,814
Identifiable assets	110,947				129,022				110,947	129,022
Goodwill	8,481				8,355				8,481	8,355
Solar and semiconductor equipment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue									26,368	73,102	233,804
Operating loss									(14,377)	(26,236)	46,712
Capital expenditures									98	1,121	5,106
Depreciation and amortization									2,501	2,717	2,589
Identifiable assets	106,723				123,923				106,723	123,923
Goodwill	7,753				7,627				7,753	7,627
Polishing supplies and equipment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue									8,430	8,437	12,901
Operating loss									1,282	1,405	3,648
Capital expenditures									80	185	77
Depreciation and amortization									166	141	225
Identifiable assets	4,224				5,099				4,224	5,099
Goodwill	728				728				728	728
Non-segment related loss
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating loss									$ (6,899)	$ (8,153)	$ (12,081)