Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

There have been no recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements that are of significance, or of potential significance, to us other than those discussed below:

• In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-05, Foreign Currency Matters. This accounting standard update requires an entity to release into net income the entire amount of a cumulative translation adjustment related to its investment in a foreign entity when as a parent it either sells a part or all of its investment in the foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets within the foreign entity. This accounting standard update will be effective for our fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2014. We are currently evaluating the impact of this accounting standard update on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

• In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. The guidance requires a liability related to an unrecognized tax benefit to be offset against a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward if certain criteria are met. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013 and should be applied prospectively to unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. Early adoption and retrospective application of the new guidance is permitted. We implemented this accounting standard update during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2014 and it had no significant impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, establishes a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. This standard describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value:

• Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. We classify investments within Level 1 if quoted prices are available in active markets.

• Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. We classify items in Level 2 if the investments are valued using observable inputs to quoted market prices, benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency.

• Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. A financial asset or liability's classification within this hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. We do not hold any financial assets or liabilities within Level 3.

Valuation techniques used to measure fair value under ASC 820 must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash consists primarily of bank deposits or, occasionally, highly liquid short-term investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash represents temporarily restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements.

Derivatives

All of our warrants meet the classification requirements for liability accounting pursuant to ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Each quarter, we expect an impact on our statement of operations and comprehensive (loss) income when we record the change in fair value of our outstanding warrants using the Monte Carlo option valuation model. The Monte Carlo option valuation model is used since it allows the valuation of each warrant to factor in the value associated with our right to effect a mandatory exercise of each warrant. The valuation model requires the input of subjective assumptions, including the warrant's expected life and the price volatility of the underlying stock. The change in the fair value of our warrants has been primarily due to the change in the closing price of our common stock.

Receivables

Unbilled accounts receivable represents revenue recognized but not yet billed as of the period ended. Billings on contracts using the percentage-of-completion method usually occur upon completion of predetermined contract milestones or other contract terms, such as customer approval. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the age of receivables and a specific identification of receivables considered at risk of collection.

Severance and Restructuring Accruals

Our severance and restructuring-related accrual specifically relates to the Separation Agreement and non-cancelable obligations associated with an abandoned leased facility. Expense related to severance and restructuring accruals is included in selling, general, and administrative expense on our statement of operations and comprehensive (loss) income.

Asset Retirement Obligations

We have known conditional asset retirement conditions, such as certain asset decommissioning and restoration of rented facilities to be performed in the future. Our asset retirement obligations include assumptions related to renewal option periods for those facilities where we expect to extend lease terms. In future periods, the asset retirement obligation is accreted for the change in its present value and capitalized costs are depreciated over the useful life of the related assets. If the fair value of the estimated asset retirement obligation changes, an adjustment will be recorded to both the asset retirement obligation and the asset retirement capitalized cost. Revisions in estimated liabilities can result from revisions of estimated inflation rates, escalating retirement costs, and changes in the estimated timing of settling asset retirement obligations.

Legal Proceedings

Professional legal fees are expensed when incurred. We accrue for contingent losses when such losses are probable and reasonably estimable.

Segment Reporting

We have three operating divisions within the following two reporting segments:

• Fiber Optics: EMCORE Digital Fiber Optics Products and EMCORE Broadband Fiber Optics Products are aggregated as a separate reporting segment, Fiber Optics. Our Fiber Optics reporting segment provides optical components, subsystems, and systems for high-speed telecommunications, cable television (CATV), and fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) networks, as well as products for satellite communications, video transport, and specialty photonics technologies for defense and homeland security applications.

• Photovoltaics: EMCORE Photovoltaics is a separate reporting segment, Photovoltaics. Our Photovoltaics reporting segment provides products for both space and terrestrial solar power applications. For space solar power applications, we offer high-efficiency multi-junction solar cells, covered interconnect cells (CICs), and complete satellite solar panels. For terrestrial power applications, we offer high-efficiency GaAs solar cells for concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) power systems.

We evaluate our reportable segments pursuant to ASC 280, Segment Reporting. The Company's Chief Executive Officer is the chief operating decision maker and he assesses the performance of the operating segments and allocates resources to segments based on their business prospects, competitive factors, net revenue, operating results, and other non-GAAP financial ratios.