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:
Consolidated net income (loss)	$ 17,744	$ (2,605)	$ 56,123
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Stock-based compensation	5,941	5,031	4,042
Depreciation and amortization	5,726	5,569	4,831
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	(18)	0	0
Amortization of intangibles	1,600	1,848	1,698
Impairment of and write-off of intangibles	0	8,887	145
Impairment of goodwill	0	4,261	0
Impairment of assets	0	1,182	0
Impairment of investment	0	2,327	0
Gain on sale of investments	(12,217)	0	(560)
Equity in net loss (income) of affiliate	316	0	(233)
Net foreign currency transaction (gains) losses	(214)	640	(436)
Deferred tax assets	9,287	5,016	(28,362)
Other non-cash items	69	108	677
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	1,478	(1,290)	721
Inventories	(1,454)	(2,735)	(2,026)
Other assets	698	(256)	(1,100)
Accounts payable	5,443	2,444	(2,899)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(771)	1,928	(2,057)
Net cash provided by operating activities	33,628	32,355	30,564
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment	(23,191)	(6,036)	(6,329)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiary	(1,614)	(2,370)	0
Payment of holdback related to Si En acquisition	(4,200)	0	0
Investment in Nanya Technology Corporation (Nanya)	0	(27,109)	0
Investment in joint venture	0	(2,000)	0
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(5,473)	(4,800)	(3,944)
Sales of available-for-sale securities	28,969	2,697	3,305
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	0	(13,210)	(15,960)
Reduction in cash balances upon deconsolidation of Giantec	0	0	(6,455)
Proceeds from sale of investments	4,256	0	2,768
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	0	6,786	(1,679)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,253)	(46,042)	(28,294)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchases and retirements of common stock	(555)	(537)	(4,097)
Proceeds from issuance of stock through compensation plans	8,179	5,852	3,385
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	18	0	0
Proceeds from borrowings	4,875	0	0
Principal payments of long-term obligations	(146)	0	0
Proceeds from borrowings under short-term lines of credit	4,069	20,809	11,750
Principal payments of short-term lines of credit	(4,069)	(20,809)	(11,750)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	12,371	5,315	(712)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(246)	6	640
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	44,500	(8,366)	2,198
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	75,497	83,863	81,665
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	119,997	75,497	83,863
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes	1,826	875	1,601
Cash paid for interest expense	$ 48	$ 25	$ 23