CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss	$ (49,323)	$ 1,260	$ (57,083)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation	18,239	19,115	18,463
Amortization	0	0	341
Stock based compensation	11,514	9,235	12,403
Amortization of premium (discount) on marketable securities	405	0	0
Marketable securities recovery, accretion, impairment and other	(208)	(808)	1,504
Recovery on sale of China building	0	(1,717)	0
(Gain) loss on disposal of equipment	(41)	(116)	(167)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	17,970	(15,286)	5,371
Inventories	1,001	(2,484)	15,328
Prepaid expenses and other assets	190	(784)	300
Accounts payable	(5,462)	5,790	(1,489)
Accrued and other liabilities	(2,509)	(1,251)	(3,480)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(8,224)	12,954	(8,509)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of plant and equipment	(5,812)	(5,566)	(10,346)
Proceeds from sale of building and equipment	348	1,918	1,346
Purchases of marketable securities	(65,152)	0	(15,201)
Proceeds from sales and redemptions of marketable securities	12,700	1,275	29,216
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(57,916)	(2,373)	5,015
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Repayment of Convertible notes	0	0	(38,000)
Issuances of common stock, net of related costs	1,706	3,376	1,115
Repurchase of common stock into treasury	0	0	(1)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,706	3,376	(36,886)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(64,434)	13,957	(40,380)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	97,129	83,172	123,552
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	32,695	97,129	83,172
[SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract]
Interest paid	0	0	1,900
Net taxes paid (refunded)	$ 136	$ (243)	$ (311)