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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Represents the number of majority owned subsidiaries.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	plab_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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- Definition

This line item represents the number of manufacturing facilities of the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	plab_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the period of warranty.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	plab_PeriodOfWarranty
Namespace Prefix:	plab_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

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- Definition

Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount before tax of foreign currency transaction realized and unrealized gain recognized in the income statement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 830

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450189&loc=d3e30690-110894

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 830

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450222&loc=d3e30840-110895

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 830

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450189&loc=d3e30700-110894

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The equity interest of noncontrolling shareholders, partners or other equity holders in consolidated entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

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Name:	us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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- Definition

Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
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Balance Type:
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- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=plab_PkLtdMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_BuildingImprovementsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentMember
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Data Type:	na
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 02, 2014 Subsidiary Facility	Nov. 03, 2013	Oct. 28, 2012
Manufacturing Facilities by Geographical Region [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities	9plab_NumberOfManufacturingFacilities
Foreign Currency [Abstract]
Foreign currency transaction gain	$ 1.4	$ 0.5	$ 0.2
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Number of majority owned subsidiaries	2plab_NumberOfMajorityOwnedSubsidiaries
Period of warranty	30 days
PK Ltd [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling interests (in hundredths)	0.30%	0.30%
PDMC [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling interests (in hundredths)	49.99%	1.37%
Minimum [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Maximum [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	15 years
Buildings and Improvements [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives	15 years
Buildings and Improvements [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives	40 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Furniture, Fixtures and Office Equipment [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Furniture, Fixtures and Office Equipment [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Europe [Member]
Manufacturing Facilities by Geographical Region [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities	2
Taiwan [Member]
Manufacturing Facilities by Geographical Region [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities	3
Korea [Member]
Manufacturing Facilities by Geographical Region [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities	1
United States [Member]
Manufacturing Facilities by Geographical Region [Line Items]
Number of manufacturing facilities	3