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
Net income (loss)	$ (2,150)	$ 136,835	$ 130,437
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	24,155	21,620	17,249
Impairment of assets	1,960	0	0
Stock-based compensation	7,757	8,647	6,752
Amortization of premium on marketable securities	1,274	2,401	2,283
Undistributed earnings of joint ventures	(2,442)	(2,133)	(4,815)
Deferred income tax benefit	(2,936)	(122,136)	(276)
Pension settlement	87	8,937	0
Gain on sale of contract manufacturing business	0	0	(45,009)
Loss (gain) on disposal of long-lived assets	(1,394)	(63)	10
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and disposals:
Accounts receivable	6,422	(784)	9,916
Inventories	15,490	5,874	(19,131)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,359	5,801	4,205
Accounts payable	3,123	(11,182)	(15,099)
Deferred revenue	8,971	(4,684)	1,841
Accrued warranty and retrofit costs	(1,806)	(123)	(1,420)
Accrued compensation and benefits	(2,625)	(4,878)	1,717
Accrued restructuring costs	(972)	1,930	(3,212)
Accrued pension	(950)	(5,772)	2,014
Net cash provided by operating activities	(3,934)	(4,252)	188
Net cash provided by operating activities	54,389	36,038	87,650
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(3,635)	(8,653)	(6,455)
Purchases of marketable securities	(91,740)	(132,015)	(186,718)
Sale/maturity of marketable securities	145,023	131,317	120,095
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(68,331)	(9,216)	(88,309)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	586	530	(1,293)
Proceeds from the sale of the contract manufacturing business	0	0	78,249
Other investment	0	(3,000)	0
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment	14,082	0	0
Payment of deferred leasing cost	(3,134)	0	0
Other	0	0	181
Net cash used in investing activities	(7,149)	(21,037)	(84,250)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	1,851	1,705	1,358
Common stock dividend paid	(21,328)	(20,953)	(5,180)
Net cash used in financing activities	(19,477)	(19,248)	(3,822)
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	569	53	(568)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	28,332	(4,194)	(990)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	54,639	58,833	59,823
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	82,971	54,639	58,833
Supplemental disclosures:
Cash paid during the year for interest	2	14	65
Cash paid (refunded) during the year for income taxes, net	$ (762)	$ 4,282	$ 1,042