Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 58,560	$ 68,672	$ 194,417	$ 177,758
Cost of revenues	34,120	36,199	112,214	96,222
Gross margin	24,440	32,473	82,203	81,536
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	13,072	12,166	40,274	36,107
Research and development	9,694	8,925	29,451	26,830
Total operating expenses	22,766	21,091	69,725	62,937
Income from operations	1,674	11,382	12,478	18,599
Other income, net:
Total other than temporary impairment losses on available-for-sale securities, net of settlement gains	(125)	407	1,169	112
Portion of loss (gain) recognized in other comprehensive income	53	(476)	(874)	(223)
Net impairment (losses) gains recognized in earnings	(72)	(69)	295	(111)
Other income, net:	72	156	53	690
Total other income, net		87	348	579
Income before income taxes	1,674	11,469	12,826	19,178
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	499	(4,400)	4,278	(3,443)
Consolidated net income	1,175	15,869	8,548	22,621
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	93	50	382	103
Net income attributable to Vicor Corporation	$ 1,082	$ 15,819	$ 8,166	$ 22,518
Net income per common share attributable to Vicor Corporation:
Basic	$ 0.03	$ 0.38	$ 0.20	$ 0.54
Diluted	$ 0.03	$ 0.38	$ 0.20	$ 0.54
Shares used to compute net income per share attributable to Vicor Corporation:
Basic	41,810	41,693	41,793	41,682
Diluted	41,851	41,774	41,865	41,742
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.15	$ 0.30	$ 0.15	$ 0.30