Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 4,988	$ (39,171)	$ (34,219)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Impairment	0	1,425	8,000
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion expense	8,688	9,420	11,973
Stock-based compensation expense	4,209	7,756	7,428
Gain on sale of equity method investment	(4,800)	0	0
Provision adjustments related to doubtful accounts	119	(158)	30
Provision adjustments related to product warranty	2,914	(49)	970
Provision for losses on inventory purchase commitments	0	2,344	0
Loss from equity method investment	0	1,201	1,842
Change in fair value of financial instruments	(515)	69	(70)
Net loss on disposal of equipment	0	147	238
Flood-related loss	0	5,519	0
Non-cash insurance proceeds	(16,134)	(2,609)	0
Gain on sale of assets	(338)	(2,742)	0
Total non-cash adjustments	(5,857)	22,323	30,411
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(4,967)	(1,707)	3,278
Inventory	2,016	(9,807)	(883)
Other assets	5,370	(3,889)	(2,519)
Accounts payable	(14,032)	10,610	404
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(9,623)	6,639	(2,761)
Total change in operating assets and liabilities	(21,236)	1,846	(2,481)
Net cash used in operating activities	(22,105)	(15,002)	(6,289)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash proceeds from sale of equity method investment	4,800	0	0
Purchase of equipment	(7,242)	(12,211)	(7,334)
Deposits on equipment orders	(3)	(351)	(1,030)
Flood-related insurance proceeds from equipment	5,373	2,609	0
Investments in internally-developed patents	0	0	(425)
Investment in an unconsolidated affiliate	0	0	(12,000)
Dividend from an unconsolidated affiliate	0	1,644	0
Consulting fees received related to an unconsolidated affiliate	0	0	5,500
Purchase of a business	0	0	(750)
Proceeds from sale of assets	1,150	13,121	0
Increase in restricted cash	(733)	462	753
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment	484	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	3,829	5,274	(15,286)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from borrowings from credit facilities	2,390	1,759	6,984
Net proceeds from private placement transaction	0	0	9,653
Proceeds from sale of common stock	21,189	0	0
Proceeds from stock plans	1,705	1,256	1,855
Payments on capital lease obligations	0	0	(605)
Net cash provided by financing activities	25,284	3,015	17,887
Effect of exchange rate changes on foreign currency	49	162	(658)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	7,057	(6,551)	(4,346)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	9,047	15,598	19,944
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	16,104	9,047	15,598
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the period for interest	704	514	895
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	15	1,644	0
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of common stock under equity line financing facility	0	0	196
Acquisition of equipment under capital lease	0	4,411	1,879
Sale of assets to Suncore for current receivable	0	2,934	0
Prior consulting fees received to an unconsolidated affiliate	0	0	3,000
Forgiveness of capital lease and accounts payable	$ 10,761	$ 0	$ 0