Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Service revenues	$ 89,767	$ 89,603	$ 200,463	$ 179,552
Product revenues	31,713	31,312	65,715	71,100
Revenues	121,480	120,915	266,178	250,652
Cost of services	68,341	66,965	140,412	136,238
Cost of products	14,911	17,332	30,684	42,839
Gross profit	38,228	36,618	95,082	71,575
Operating expenses:
Research, development and engineering	10,305	9,087	19,344	18,377
Marketing and sales	9,917	8,968	19,130	16,948
General, administrative and other operating expenses	14,221	11,793	33,152	27,557
Total operating expenses	34,443	29,848	71,626	62,882
Income from operations	3,785	6,770	23,456	8,693
Interest expense, net	(4,934)	(2,756)	(9,731)	(3,822)
Equity in losses of investments	(1,781)	(6,338)	(3,469)	(5,222)
Other income (expense), net	6,066	(107,118)	74,592	(106,091)
Income (loss) before income taxes	3,136	(109,442)	84,848	(106,442)
Income tax expense (benefit)	653	(38,705)	5,916	(37,504)
Net income (loss)	2,483	(70,737)	78,932	(68,938)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,295)	(59)	(1,765)	17
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	1,188	(70,796)	77,167	(68,921)
Preferred stock dividends	0	338	0	676
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares	$ 1,188	$ (71,134)	$ 77,167	$ (69,597)
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic, in dollars per share	$ 0.01	$ (0.45)	$ 0.47	$ (0.44)
Diluted, in dollars per share	$ 0.01	$ (0.45)	$ 0.47	$ (0.44)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic, in shares	164,063	156,910	163,956	156,689
Diluted, in shares	164,423	156,910	164,243	156,689