FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	May 04, 2014	Nov. 03, 2013
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 0	$ 0
Total liabilities	0	0
Fair Value [Member] \| 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Fair and carrying values of the Company's convertible senior notes [Abstract]
Convertible senior notes	127,719	130,330
Fair Value [Member] \| 5.50% convertible senior notes [Member]
Fair and carrying values of the Company's convertible senior notes [Abstract]
Convertible senior notes	38,810	37,567
Carrying Value [Member] \| 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Fair and carrying values of the Company's convertible senior notes [Abstract]
Convertible senior notes	115,000	115,000
Carrying Value [Member] \| 5.50% convertible senior notes [Member]
Fair and carrying values of the Company's convertible senior notes [Abstract]
Convertible senior notes	$ 22,054	$ 22,054

Name:	plab_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	plab_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Fair value portion of probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25499696&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value portion of borrowing which can be exchanged for a specified number of another security at the option of the issuer or the holder, for example, but not limited to, the entity's common stock.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Convertible Security

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6509036

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtFairValueDisclosures
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value of financial and nonfinancial obligations.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant