Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014 segment	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating segments									2
Net revenue	$ 19,822	$ 9,190	$ 12,717	$ 14,772	$ 6,925	$ 10,398	$ 8,118	$ 9,357	$ 56,501	$ 34,798	$ 81,539
Operating loss									(13,089)	(19,994)	(32,984)
Capital expenditures									462	178	1,306
Depreciation and amortization									2,410	2,667	2,858
Identifiable assets	89,904				110,947				89,904	110,947
Goodwill	8,323				8,481				8,323	8,481
Solar and semiconductor equipment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue									45,848	26,368	73,102
Operating loss									(10,159)	(14,377)	(26,236)
Capital expenditures									392	98	1,121
Depreciation and amortization									2,276	2,501	2,717
Identifiable assets	83,651				106,723				83,651	106,723
Goodwill	7,595				7,753				7,595	7,753
Polishing supplies and equipment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue									10,653	8,430	8,437
Operating loss									2,805	1,282	1,405
Capital expenditures									70	80	185
Depreciation and amortization									134	166	141
Identifiable assets	6,253				4,224				6,253	4,224
Goodwill	728				728				728	728
Non-segment related loss
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating loss									$ (5,735)	$ (6,899)	$ (8,153)