Intangible Assets - Schedule by Reporting Segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Assets	$ 22,463	$ 22,907
Accumulated Amortization	(21,321)	(20,748)
Other intangible assets, net	1,142	2,159
Fiber Optics
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Assets	20,935	20,935
Accumulated Amortization	(19,793)	(18,967)
Other intangible assets, net	1,142	1,968
Fiber Optics | Core Technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Assets	12,727	12,727
Accumulated Amortization	(12,243)	(11,822)
Other intangible assets, net	484	905
Fiber Optics | Customer Relations
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Assets	3,511	3,511
Accumulated Amortization	(2,935)	(2,647)
Other intangible assets, net	576	864
Fiber Optics | Patents
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Assets	4,697	4,697
Accumulated Amortization	(4,615)	(4,498)
Other intangible assets, net	82	199
Photovoltaics | Patents
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Assets	1,528	1,972
Accumulated Amortization	(1,528)	(1,781)
Other intangible assets, net	$ 0	$ 191