Nature of the Business	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Nature of the Business	1. Nature of the Business Brooks Automation, Inc. (“Brooks”, or the “Company”) is a leading global provider of manufacturing automation solutions for the semiconductor industry, and life science sample-based services and solutions for the life sciences market. In the semiconductor manufacturing market, the Company provides precision robotics, integrated automation systems, and contamination control solutions to semiconductor fabrication plants and original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) worldwide. In the life sciences market, the Company offers a full suite of services and solutions for analyzing, managing, and storing biological and chemical compound samples to advance research and development for clinical, pharmaceutical, and other scientific endeavors. The Company’s life sciences solutions include gene sequencing and synthesis, a broad suite of high-throughput automated cryogenic storage products, related consumables, sample inventory software, as well as fully outsourced solutions for sample storage, transport, and inventory management. The Company’s leadership positions and its global support capability in each of these markets make it a valued business partner to the largest semiconductor and semiconductor capital equipment manufacturers, and pharmaceutical and life sciences research institutions in the world. Discontinued Operations In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell its semiconductor cryogenics business (the “Disposition”) to Edwards Vacuum LLC (a member of the Atlas Copco Group) (“Edwards”). The Company determined that the semiconductor cryogenics business met the “held for sale” criteria and the “discontinued operations” criteria in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Boards (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205, Presentation of Financial Statements, (“FASB ASC 205”) as of September 30, 2018 (please refer to Note 3, “Discontinued Operations” for further information about the discontinued business). The Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Operations, and the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements were restated for all periods presented to reflect the discontinuation of the semiconductor cryogenics business, in accordance with FASB ASC 205. The discussion in the notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements, unless otherwise noted, relate solely to the Company's continuing operations. On July 1, 2019, the Company completed the sale of the semiconductor cryogenics business for $661.5 million, which excludes $6.3 million retained by Edwards at closing as a result of the initial net working capital adjustments. Net cash proceeds from the sale were $553.1 million, after deducting estimated taxes payable and closing costs, which remains subject to adjustment for the final determination of working capital and other items. In connection with the closing the parties entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Asset Purchase Agreement. As part of this amendment, liabilities assumed by Edwards were revised to include accounts payable related to the semiconductor cryogenics business. As of September 30, 2018, the Company revised its accounts payable balance on a continuing operations basis to exclude accounts payable related to the semiconductor cryogenics business and revised its current liabilities held for sale balance to include accounts payable related to the semiconductor cryogenics business on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. Accounts payable and total liabilities of the discontinued operation had also been revised in Note 3, “Discontinued Operations”. As of September 30, 2018 and 2017, the accounts payable balance related to the semiconductor cryogenics business was $11.1 million and $10.6 million, respectively. The Company also revised these balances in previously reported historical periods in the event those periods are presented in any filings. Risks and Uncertainties The Company is subject to risks common to companies in the markets it serves, including, but not limited to, global economic and financial market conditions, fluctuations in customer demand, acceptance of new products, development by its competitors of new technological innovations, risk of disruption in its supply chain, the implementation of tariffs and export controls, dependence on key personnel, protection of proprietary technology, and compliance with domestic and foreign regulatory authorities and agencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company’s facilities have remained operational with only required personnel on site, and the balance of employees working from home. Both business segments fall within the classification of an “Essential Critical Infrastructure Sector” as defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and have continued operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company has followed government guidance in each region and has implemented Centers for Disease Control social distancing guidelines and other best practices to protect the health and safety of the Company’s employees. The COVID-19 pandemic has not had a substantial impact on our financial results and a portion of this impact has been mitigated by our realignment of resources to satisfy incremental orders related to virus research. Future impacts on the Company’s financial results will depend on multiple variables which are not fully determinable, as the full impact of the pandemic on the economy and markets which the Company serves is as yet unknown. The variables are many, but fundamentally include reduced demand from the Company’s customers, the degree that the supply chain may be constrained to impact the Company’s delivery of product, the potential impact to our operations if there is a significant outbreak among our employees, as well as the amount of incremental demand caused by research and treatments in the areas of COVID-19 or related threats.

Nature of the Business

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

1. Nature of the Business

Brooks Automation, Inc. (“Brooks”, or the “Company”) is a leading global provider of manufacturing automation solutions for the semiconductor industry, and life science sample-based services and solutions for the life sciences market. In the semiconductor manufacturing market, the Company provides precision robotics, integrated automation systems, and contamination control solutions to semiconductor fabrication plants and original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) worldwide. In the life sciences market, the Company offers a full suite of services and solutions for analyzing, managing, and storing biological and chemical compound samples to advance research and development for clinical, pharmaceutical, and other scientific endeavors. The Company’s life sciences solutions include gene sequencing and synthesis, a broad suite of high-throughput automated cryogenic storage products, related consumables, sample inventory software, as well as fully outsourced solutions for sample storage, transport, and inventory management. The Company’s leadership positions and its global support capability in each of these markets make it a valued business partner to the largest semiconductor and semiconductor capital equipment manufacturers, and pharmaceutical and life sciences research institutions in the world.

Discontinued Operations

In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell its semiconductor cryogenics business (the “Disposition”) to Edwards Vacuum LLC (a member of the Atlas Copco Group) (“Edwards”). The Company determined that the semiconductor cryogenics business met the “held for sale” criteria and the “discontinued operations” criteria in accordance with Financial Accounting Standard Boards (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205, Presentation of Financial Statements, (“FASB ASC 205”) as of September 30, 2018 (please refer to Note 3, “Discontinued Operations” for further information about the discontinued business). The Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Operations, and the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements were restated for all periods presented to reflect the discontinuation of the semiconductor cryogenics business, in accordance with FASB ASC 205. The discussion in the notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements, unless otherwise noted, relate solely to the Company's continuing operations.

On July 1, 2019, the Company completed the sale of the semiconductor cryogenics business for $661.5 million, which excludes $6.3 million retained by Edwards at closing as a result of the initial net working capital adjustments. Net cash proceeds from the sale were $553.1 million, after deducting estimated taxes payable and closing costs, which remains subject to adjustment for the final determination of working capital and other items. In connection with the closing the parties entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Asset Purchase Agreement. As part of this amendment, liabilities assumed by Edwards were revised to include accounts payable related to the semiconductor cryogenics business. As of September 30, 2018, the Company revised its accounts payable balance on a continuing operations basis to exclude accounts payable related to the semiconductor cryogenics business and revised its current liabilities held for sale balance to include accounts payable related to the semiconductor cryogenics business on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. Accounts payable and total liabilities of the discontinued operation had also been revised in Note 3, “Discontinued Operations”. As of September 30, 2018 and 2017, the accounts payable balance related to the semiconductor cryogenics business was $11.1 million and $10.6 million, respectively. The Company also revised these balances in previously reported historical periods in the event those periods are presented in any filings.

Risks and Uncertainties

The Company is subject to risks common to companies in the markets it serves, including, but not limited to, global economic and financial market conditions, fluctuations in customer demand, acceptance of new products, development by its competitors of new technological innovations, risk of disruption in its supply chain, the implementation of tariffs and export controls, dependence on key personnel, protection of proprietary technology, and compliance with domestic and foreign regulatory authorities and agencies.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company’s facilities have remained operational with only required personnel on site, and the balance of employees working from home. Both business segments fall within the classification of an “Essential Critical Infrastructure Sector” as defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and have continued operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company has followed government guidance in each region and has implemented Centers for Disease Control social distancing guidelines and other best practices to protect the health and safety of the Company’s employees. The COVID-19 pandemic has not had a substantial impact on our financial results and a portion of this impact has been mitigated by our realignment of resources to satisfy incremental orders related to virus research. Future impacts on the Company’s financial results will depend on multiple variables which are not fully determinable, as the full impact of the pandemic on the economy and markets which the Company serves is as yet unknown. The variables are many, but fundamentally include reduced demand from the Company’s customers, the degree that the supply chain may be constrained to impact the Company’s delivery of product, the potential impact to our operations if there is a significant outbreak among our employees, as well as the amount of incremental demand caused by research and treatments in the areas of COVID-19 or related threats.