Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Service revenues	$ 71,923	$ 44,679	$ 272,386	$ 224,231
Product revenues	34,617	35,159	100,332	106,259
Total net revenues	106,540	79,838	372,718	330,490
Cost of services	60,285	52,256	200,697	188,494
Cost of products	17,032	42,686	47,716	85,525
Gross profit (loss)	29,223	(15,104)	124,305	56,471
Operating expenses:
Research, development and engineering	10,910	10,288	30,254	28,665
Marketing and sales	8,480	8,416	27,610	25,364
General, administrative and other operating expenses	15,182	22,720	48,334	50,277
Total operating expenses	34,572	41,424	106,198	104,306
Income (loss) from operations	(5,349)	(56,528)	18,107	(47,835)
Interest expense, net	(5,048)	(4,281)	(14,779)	(8,103)
Equity in losses of investments	(5,558)	(5,192)	(9,027)	(10,414)
Other income (expense), net	(622)	(74,301)	73,970	(180,392)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(16,577)	(140,302)	68,271	(246,744)
Income tax expense	8,345	56,954	14,261	19,450
Net income (loss)	(24,922)	(197,256)	54,010	(266,194)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	381	498	(1,384)	515
Net income (loss) attributable to ION	(24,541)	(196,758)	52,626	(265,679)
Preferred stock dividends	0	338	0	1,014
Conversion payment of preferred stock	0	5,000	0	5,000
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares	$ (24,541)	$ (202,096)	$ 52,626	$ (271,693)
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic, in dollars per share	$ (0.15)	$ (1.29)	$ 0.32	$ (1.73)
Diluted, in dollars per share	$ (0.15)	$ (1.29)	$ 0.32	$ (1.73)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic, in shares	164,149	157,143	164,021	156,842
Diluted, in shares	164,149	157,143	164,326	156,842