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Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Sep. 30, 2013 shares
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Registrant Name	VICOR CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000751978
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	26,771,119
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	11,767,052

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 61,188	$ 84,554
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $280 in 2013 and $292 in 2012	28,321	27,165
Inventories, net	27,987	29,955
Deferred tax assets	2,248	1,776
Other current assets	3,497	2,613
Total current assets	123,241	146,063
Long-term investments, net	6,231	6,736
Property, plant and equipment, net	40,457	44,092
Long-term deferred tax assets, net	9,045	3,523
Other assets	1,904	2,167
Total assets	180,878	202,581
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	9,772	6,812
Accrued compensation and benefits	8,907	7,400
Accrued expenses	2,298	2,233
Accrued severance charges	249
Income taxes payable		336
Deferred revenue	911	784
Total current liabilities	22,137	17,565
Long-term deferred revenue	1,118	1,549
Long-term income taxes payable	1,527	1,494
Total liabilities	24,782	20,608
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Vicor Corporation stockholders' equity:
Common Stock	391	390
Additional paid-in capital	169,409	167,498
Retained earnings	121,747	132,285
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(274)	(112)
Treasury stock, at cost	(138,927)	(121,827)
Total Vicor Corporation stockholders' equity	152,464	178,352
Noncontrolling interest	3,632	3,621
Total equity	156,096	181,973
Total Liabilities and equity	180,878	202,581
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Vicor Corporation stockholders' equity:
Common Stock	$ 118	$ 118

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, less allowance	$ 280	$ 292

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 55,091	$ 52,948	$ 143,902	$ 168,083
Cost of revenues	32,111	29,995	85,854	96,557
Gross margin	22,980	22,953	58,048	71,526
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	14,478	13,425	43,820	41,250
Research and development	9,857	9,232	29,700	28,807
Severance charges			1,361
Total operating expenses	24,335	22,657	74,881	70,057
Income (loss) from operations	(1,355)	296	(16,833)	1,469
Other income (expense), net:
Total unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of unrealized losses	65	351	103	581
Portion of losses recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(64)	(339)	(181)	(565)
Net credit gains (losses) recognized in earnings	1	12	(78)	16
Other income, net:	50	58	90	189
Total other income (expense), net	51	70	12	205
Income (loss) before income taxes	(1,304)	366	(16,821)	1,674
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(406)	86	(6,337)	809
Consolidated net income (loss)	(898)	280	(10,484)	865
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	34	89	54	128
Net income (loss) attributable to Vicor Corporation	$ (932)	$ 191	$ (10,538)	$ 737
Net income (loss) per common share attributable to Vicor Corporation:
Basic	$ (0.02)		$ (0.27)	$ 0.02
Diluted	$ (0.02)		$ (0.27)	$ 0.02
Shares used to compute net income (loss) per share attributable to Vicor Corporation:
Basic	38,538	41,811	39,414	41,811
Diluted	38,538	41,815	39,414	41,818

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]

Consolidated net income (loss)

$ (898)

$ 280

$ (10,484)

$ 865

Foreign currency translation gains (losses), net of tax provision (benefit)

^[1]

(381)

(31)

Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities

^[2]

339

176

565

Consolidated comprehensive income (loss)

(815)

701

(10,689)

1,399

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

126

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Vicor Corporation

$ (851)

$ 602

$ (10,700)

$ 1,273

[1]	Net of tax provision of $12 and $48 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Net of tax benefit of $(205) and $(26) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
[2]	The deferred tax assets associated with the unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities are completely offset by a tax valuation allowance as of September 30, 2013 and 2012. Therefore, there is no net income tax provision (benefit) recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation losses, tax benefit	$ 12	$ 48	$ (205)	$ (26)
Recognized income tax provision (benefit)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating activities:
Consolidated net income (loss)	$ (10,484)	$ 865
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	7,555	7,870
Deferred income taxes	(5,491)	(88)
Stock-based compensation expense	1,893	970
Decrease in long-term deferred revenue	(104)	(107)
Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation	(53)	(78)
Gain on disposal of equipment	(3)	(31)
Credit loss (gain) on available-for-sale securities	78	(16)
Increase (decrease) in long-term income taxes payable	33	(10)
Change in current assets and liabilities, net	3,896	4,932
Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities	(2,680)	14,307
Investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(4,027)	(4,838)
Sales and maturities of investments	603	3,540
Purchases of investments		(270)
Proceeds from sale of equipment	3	31
Decrease in other assets	49	4
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,372)	(1,533)
Financing activities:
Purchases of Common Stock	(17,100)
Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock	58	9
Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation	53	78
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities	(16,989)	87
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash	(325)	(17)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(23,366)	12,844
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	84,554	71,908
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 61,188	$ 84,752

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	1. Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Vicor Corporation (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, these interim financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or the year ending December 31, 2013. The balance sheet at December 31, 2012, presented herein has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, (File No. 0-18277) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure.

+ References

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+ Details

Long-Term Investments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]

Long-Term Investments

2. Long-Term Investments

The Company’s principal sources of liquidity are its existing balances of cash and cash equivalents, as well as cash generated from operations. Consistent with the Company’s investment policy guidelines, the Company can invest, and has historically invested, its cash balances in demand deposit accounts, money market funds, brokered certificates of deposit, and auction rate securities meeting certain quality criteria. All of the Company’s investments are subject to credit, liquidity, market, and interest rate risk.

The Company’s long-term investments are classified as available-for-sale securities. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, attributable to credit loss recorded through the statement of operations and unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, attributable to other non-credit factors recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss”, a component of Stockholders’ Equity. In determining the amount of credit loss, the Company compares the present value of cash flows expected to be collected to the amortized cost basis of the securities, considering credit default risk probabilities and changes in credit ratings as significant inputs, among other factors.

The amortized cost of debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity, the net amount of which, along with interest and realized gains and losses, is included in “Other income (expense), net” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company periodically evaluates investments to determine if impairment is required, whether an impairment is other than temporary, and the measurement of an impairment loss. The Company considers a variety of impairment indicators such as, but not limited to, a significant deterioration in the earnings performance, credit rating, or asset quality of the investment.

As of September 30, 2013, the Company held par value of $6,000,000 of auction rate securities. These auction rate securities consist of collateralized debt obligations, supported by pools of student loans, sponsored by state student loan agencies and corporate student loan servicing firms. The interest rates for these securities are reset at auction at regular intervals of 28 days. The auction rate securities held by the Company traded at par prior to February 2008 and are callable at par at the option of the issuer.

Until February 2008, the auction rate securities market was liquid, as the investment banks conducting the periodic “Dutch auctions” by which interest rates for the securities had been established had committed their capital to support such auctions in the event of insufficient third-party investor demand. Starting the week of February 11, 2008, a substantial number of auctions failed, as demand from third-party investors weakened and the investment banks conducting the auctions chose not to commit capital to support such auctions (i.e., investment banks chose not to purchase securities themselves in order to balance supply and demand, thereby facilitating a successful auction, as they had done in the past). The consequences of a failed auction are (a) an investor must hold the specific security until the next scheduled auction (unless that investor chooses to sell the security to a third party outside of the auction process) and (b) the interest rate on the security generally resets to an interest rate set forth in each security’s indenture.

As of September 30, 2013, the Company held auction rate securities that had experienced failed auctions totaling $6,000,000 at par value, all of which had been purchased through and are held by a broker-dealer affiliate of Bank of America, N.A. (the “Failed Auction Securities”). The Failed Auction Securities held by the Company are Aaa/AA+/A3/BBB rated by major credit rating agencies, collateralized by student loans, and guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education under the Federal Family Education Loan Program. Management is not aware of any reason to believe any of the issuers of the Failed Auction Securities held by the Company are presently at risk of default. Through September 30, 2013, the Company has continued to receive interest payments on the Failed Auction Securities in accordance with the terms of their respective indentures. Management believes the Company ultimately should be able to liquidate all of its Failed Auction Securities without significant loss primarily due to the overall quality of the issues held and the collateral securing the substantial majority of the underlying obligations. However, current conditions in the auction rate securities market have led management to conclude the recovery period for the Failed Auction Securities exceeds 12 months. As a result, the Company continued to classify the Failed Auction Securities as long-term as of September 30, 2013.

The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities (in thousands):


			Gross		Gross		Estimated
			Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
September 30, 2013	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
Failed Auction Securities	$	6,000	$	—	$	1,018	$	4,982
Brokered certificates of deposit		1,010		8		—		1,018
Certificate of deposit		231		—		—		231

	$	7,241	$	8	$	1,018	$	6,231


			Gross		Gross		Estimated
			Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
December 31, 2012	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
Failed Auction Securities	$	6,100	$	—	$	1,121	$	4,979
Brokered certificates of deposit		1,280		12		—		1,292
Certificates of deposit		465		—		—		465

	$	7,845	$	12	$	1,121	$	6,736

All of the Failed Auction Securities as of September 30, 2013, have been in an unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities on September 30, 2013, by contractual maturities, are shown below (in thousands):


			Estimated
	Cost		Fair Value
Due in one year or less	$	611	$	612
Due in two to ten years		630		637
Due in ten to twenty years		—		—
Due in twenty to forty years		6,000		4,982

	$	7,241	$	6,231

Based on the fair value measurements described in Note 3, the fair value of the Failed Auction Securities on September 30, 2013, with a par value of $6,000,000, was estimated by the Company to be approximately $4,982,000, an increase in fair value of $103,000 from December 31, 2012. The gross unrealized loss of $1,018,000 on the Failed Auction Securities consists of two types of estimated loss: an aggregate credit loss of $395,000 and an aggregate temporary impairment of $623,000. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the aggregate credit loss on the Failed Auction Securities increased by a net amount of $78,000, which was recorded in “Net credit gains (losses) recognized in earnings” in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. In determining the amount of credit loss, the Company compared the present value of cash flows expected to be collected to the amortized cost basis of the securities, considering credit default risk probabilities and changes in credit ratings as significant inputs, among other factors (See Note 3).

The following table represents a roll forward of the activity related to the credit loss recognized in earnings on available-for-sale auction rate securities held by the Company for the nine months ended September 30 (in thousands):


	2013			2012
Balance at the beginning of the period	$	317		$	308
Additions for the amount related to credit loss for which other-than- temporary impairment was not previously recognized		85			—
Reduction for security sold during the period		(7	)		(16	)

Balance at the end of the period	$	395		$	292

At this time, the Company has no intent to sell any of the impaired Failed Auction Securities and does not believe it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell any of these securities. If current market conditions deteriorate further, the Company may be required to record additional unrealized losses. If the credit rating of the security deteriorates, the Company may be required to adjust the carrying value of these investments through impairment charges recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, and any such impairment adjustments may be material.

Based on the Company’s ability to access cash and cash equivalents and its expected operating cash flows, management does not anticipate the current lack of liquidity associated with the Failed Auction Securities held will affect the Company’s ability to execute its current operating plan.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for investments in certain debt and equity securities.

+ References + Details

Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

3. Fair Value Measurements

The Company accounts for certain financial assets at fair value, defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. A three-level hierarchy is used to show the extent and level of judgment used to estimate fair value measurements.

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis include the following as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands):


	Using
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Fair Value as of September 30, 2013
Cash Equivalents:
Money market funds	$	12,485	$	—	$	—	$	12,485
Long-term investments:
Failed Auction Securities		—		—		4,982		4,982
Brokered certificates of deposit		—		1,018		—		1,018
Certificate of deposit		231		—		—		231

The Company has brokered certificates of deposit classified as Level 2 because the fair value for these investments has been determined utilizing observable inputs from non-active markets. The fair values fluctuate with changes in market interest rates obtained from information available in publicly quoted markets. Management tested the reported fair values by comparing them to net present value calculations utilizing a discount rate based on U.S. Treasury bill and bond yields for similar maturities.

As of September 30, 2013, there was insufficient observable auction rate security market information available to determine the fair value of the Failed Auction Securities using Level 1 or Level 2 inputs. As such, the Company’s investments in Failed Auction Securities were deemed to require valuation using Level 3 inputs. Management, after consulting with advisors, valued the Failed Auction Securities using analyses and pricing models similar to those used by market participants (i.e., buyers, sellers, and the broker-dealers responsible for execution of the Dutch auction pricing mechanism by which each issue’s interest rate was set). Management utilized a probability weighted discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model to determine the estimated fair value of these securities as of September 30, 2013. The major assumptions used in preparing the DCF model included: estimates for the amount and timing of future interest and principal payments based on default probability assumptions used to measure the credit loss of 6.4%; the rate of return required by investors to own these securities in the current environment, which management estimates to be 5.0% above the risk free rate of return; and an estimated timeframe of three to five years for successful auctions for these securities to occur. In making these assumptions, management considered relevant factors including: the formula applicable to each security defining the interest rate paid to investors in the event of a failed auction (the “Penalty Rate”); forward projections of the interest rate benchmarks specified in such formulas; the likely timing of principal repayments; the probability of full repayment considering the guarantees by the U.S. Department of Education of the underlying student loans, guarantees by other third parties, and additional credit enhancements provided through other means; and publicly available pricing data for recently issued student loan asset-backed securities not subject to auctions. In developing its estimate of the rate of return required by investors to own these securities, management compared the Penalty Rates of the Failed Auction Securities with yields of actively traded long-term bonds with similar characteristics and, reflecting the limited liquidity for auction rate securities and the discounts to par value seen in recent tender offers by issuers and arms’ length market transactions between informed buyers and sellers, estimated the implied yield (i.e., the discount to par value) necessary to complete a sale of the Failed Auction Securities. Management has calculated an increase or decrease in the liquidity risk premium of 5.0% referenced above of 1.0% (i.e., 100 basis points) as used in the model, would decrease or increase, respectively, the fair value of the Failed Auction Securities by approximately $300,000.

For purposes of the valuation process for the Failed Auction Securities, “management” consists of senior members of the Company’s finance department. The fair value measurements for the Failed Auction Securities are reviewed and updated on a quarterly basis. The calculations are prepared by the Company’s Corporate Controller, in conjunction with information provided by its valuation advisors, and include the development and substantiation of the unobservable inputs. The methodology, assumptions, and calculations are reviewed and approved by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer.

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s Failed Auction Securities are the cumulative probability of earning the maximum rate until maturity, the cumulative probability of principal return prior to maturity, the cumulative probability of default, the liquidity risk premium, and the recovery rate in default. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation would result in changes in fair value measurement. Significant increases (decreases) in the cumulative probability of earning the maximum rate until maturity, the cumulative probability of principal return prior to maturity, and the recovery rate in default would result in a higher (lower) fair value measurement, while increases (decreases) in the cumulative probability of default and the liquidity risk premium would result in a lower (higher) fair value measurement.

Generally, the interrelationships are such that a change in the assumption used for the cumulative probability of principal return prior to maturity is accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumption used for the cumulative probability of earning the maximum rate until maturity and a directionally opposite change in the assumptions used for the cumulative probability of default and the liquidity risk premium. The recovery rate in default is somewhat independent and based upon the securities’ specific underlying assets and published recovery rate indices.

Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements as of September 30, 2013 are as follows (dollars in thousands):


					Range
			Valuation	Unobservable	(Weighted
	Fair Value		Technique	Input	Average)
Failed Auction Securities	$	4,982	Discounted cash flow	Cumulative probability of earning the maximum rate until maturity	0.01% - 0.05% (0.03%)
				Cumulative probability of principal return prior to maturity	74.24% - 95.60% (84.92%)
				Cumulative probability of default	4.39% - 25.71% (15.05%)
				Liquidity risk premium	5.00% - 5.00% (5.00%)
				Recovery rate in default	40.00% - 40.00% (40.00%)

The following table summarizes the change in the estimated fair values calculated for those assets valued on a recurring basis utilizing Level 3 inputs (i.e., the Failed Auction Securities) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):


Balance at the beginning of the period	$	4,979
Redemptions, at par		(100	)
Credit loss on available-for-sale securities included in Other income (expense), net		(78	)
Unrealized gain included in Other comprehensive income (loss)		181

Balance at the end of the period	$	4,982

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Stock-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

4. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to calculate the fair value of stock option awards as of their grant date. Stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30 was as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Cost of revenues	$	59	$	10	$	103	$	36
Selling, general and administrative		348		205		1,529		679
Research and development		84		85		261		255

Total stock-based compensation	$	491	$	300	$	1,893	$	970

On May 17, 2013, the Company commenced an offer (the “Exchange Offer”) to its employees and directors to exchange certain outstanding options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock granted under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2000 Plan”), on a one-for-one basis, for replacement options to purchase shares of common stock, to be granted under the Company’s 2000 Plan (the “Option Exchange”). All outstanding options under the 2000 Plan granted to employees and directors prior to January 1, 2013, whether or not vested, were eligible for the Option Exchange (“Eligible Options”). Eligible Options included those options with time-based vesting provisions (“Time-Based Eligible Options”) and those options with performance-based vesting provisions tied to the achievement of certain quarterly revenue targets by the Company’s Brick Business Unit (“Performance-Based Eligible Options”). Options for the purchase of shares of common stock of the Company’s subsidiaries, VI Chip Corporation and Picor Corporation, were not eligible for the Option Exchange.

Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, which expired June 17, 2013 (the “Offer Expiration Date”), 638 eligible participants tendered, and the Company accepted for exchange, options to purchase an aggregate of 1,531,077 shares of the Company’s common stock, representing approximately 91% of Eligible Options. Upon acceptance, the tendered options were cancelled, and the Company granted an equivalent number of new options (the “Replacement Options”) under the 2000 Plan. All Replacement Options vest over five years, have a 10 year term, and have terms substantially similar to other time-based vesting options awarded under the 2000 Plan. Replacement Options granted in exchange for Time-Based Eligible Options have an exercise price equal to $6.29 (being 120% of the last reported sale price per share of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ on the Offer Expiration Date). Replacement Options granted in exchange for Performance-Based Eligible Options have an exercise price equal to (i) $6.29 (being 120% of the last reported sale price per share of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ on the Offer Expiration Date) with respect to Replacement Options that vest on or prior to the first anniversary of the Offer Expiration Date; (ii) $7.34 (being 140% of the last reported sale price per share of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ on the Offer Expiration Date) with respect to Replacement Options that vest after the first anniversary of the Offer Expiration Date but on or prior to the second anniversary of the Offer Expiration Date; (iii) $8.38 (being 160% of the last reported sale price per share of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ on the Offer Expiration Date) with respect to Replacement Options that vest after the second anniversary of the Offer Expiration Date but on or prior to the third anniversary of the Offer Expiration Date; (iv) $9.43 (being 180% of the last reported sale price per share of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ on the Offer Expiration Date) with respect to Replacement Options that vest after the third anniversary of the Offer Expiration Date but on or prior to the fourth anniversary of the Offer Expiration Date; and (v) $10.48 (being 200% of the last reported sale price per share of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ on the Offer Expiration Date) with respect to Replacement Options that vest after the fourth anniversary of the Offer Expiration Date.

For financial reporting purposes, the exchange of Time-Based Eligible Options for Replacement Options was considered a modification of both the exercise price and the vesting terms of the cancelled options. The accounting for these modifications results in total incremental expense of approximately $365,000, which, combined with the remaining unrecognized expense from the original grant date value of approximately $318,000, will be recognized over the associated service period (i.e., the five year vesting period) for each new vesting tranche. Because the Company had not previously recorded stock-based compensation expense for the Performance-Based Eligible Options, as the Company determined it was not probable the Brick Business Unit would meet the revenue targets required to trigger vesting of such options, the exchange of Replacement Options for Performance-Based Eligible Options has been accounted for as the grant of new options as of June 17, 2013, the Offer Expiration Date. As referenced above, because these Replacement Options have five different exercise prices (i.e., an increasing exercise price for each of the five different vesting periods, each with a different term to expiration), the value of such Replacement Options, calculated using the Black-Scholes methodology, was based on the assumption each vesting tranche represented a distinct instrument. The resulting total expense of approximately $2,300,000 will be recognized over the associated service period for each vesting tranche, as if the grant were, in substance, five grants of distinct instruments with different exercise prices and different, sequentially shorter, terms to expiration. The unrecognized compensation expense for these Replacement Options was approximately $2,047,000 as of September 30, 2013.

Under the retirement provisions of the 2000 Plan and the option agreements applicable to the Replacement Options, the Company records all stock-based compensation expense for an option grant by the earlier of (a) the end of the associated service period (i.e., the vesting period) or (b) by age 62.5 of the employee or director to whom the options were awarded. Because of the age of certain recipient employees and directors, a number of Replacement Options granted were subject to immediate recognition of the associated total stock-based compensation expense. Accordingly, as a result of the Option Exchange, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense during the second quarter of 2013 of approximately $625,000, of which approximately $450,000 was the result of immediate expense recognition due to the age of the recipient employee or director.

Separate from the Option Exchange, on May 14, 2013, the Company awarded options to purchase, at an exercise price of $5.35 per share, an aggregate of 150,000 shares of common stock, under the 2000 Plan, to certain officers. In addition, on June 21, 2013, the Company awarded options to purchase, at an exercise price of $5.67 per share, an aggregate of 70,552 shares of common stock, under the 2000 Plan, to directors as a component of their annual compensation. The total stock-based compensation expense recognized during the second quarter of 2013 for these awards was approximately $208,000, of which approximately $190,000 was the result of immediate expense recognition due to the age of the recipient officer or director.

During the third quarter of 2010, the Company granted an aggregate of 1,243,750 Performance-Based Eligible Options. Based on the final results of the Option Exchange, a total of 66,000 of these Performance-Based Eligible Options remain outstanding as of September 30, 2013. Under the accounting rules for performance-based awards, the Company is required to assess, on an ongoing basis, the probability of whether the performance criteria will be achieved. If and when achievement is deemed probable, the Company will begin to recognize the associated compensation expense for the remaining stock options over the relevant performance period. As of September 30, 2013, the Company determined it was not probable the revenue targets could be achieved and, accordingly, has not recorded any compensation expense relating to these options since the grant date. The unrecognized compensation expense of these performance-based options was approximately $414,000 as of September 30, 2013.

On December 31, 2010, the Company granted 2,984,250 non-qualified stock options under the VI Chip 2007 Stock Option and Incentive Plan with performance-based vesting provisions tied to achievement of certain margin targets by the VI Chip subsidiary. As of December 31, 2010, the Company determined it was probable the margin targets could be achieved and, accordingly, began recording stock-based compensation expense relating to these options beginning January 1, 2011. This determination remains the same as of September 30, 2013 and, accordingly, expense has been recorded through that date. The unrecognized compensation expense for these performance-based options was approximately $777,000 as of September 30, 2013.

Net Income (Loss) per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Net Income (Loss) per Share

5. Net Income (Loss) per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted income (loss) per share for the three and nine months ended September 30 (in thousands, except per share amounts):


	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013			2012		2013			2012
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to Vicor Corporation	$	(932	)	$	191	$	(10,538	)	$	737

Denominator:
Denominator for basic income (loss) per share-weighted average shares (1)		38,538			41,811		39,414			41,811
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options (2)		—			4		—			7

Denominator for diluted income (loss) per share – adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed conversions		38,538			41,815		39,414			41,818

Basic income (loss) per share	$	(0.02	)	$	—	$	(0.27	)	$	0.02

Diluted income (loss) per share	$	(0.02	)	$	—	$	(0.27	)	$	0.02

(1)	Denominator represents weighted average number of Common Shares and Class B Common Shares outstanding.

(2)

Options to purchase 1,142,576 and 1,098,473 shares of Common Stock for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, were not included in the calculation of net loss per share as the effect would have been antidilutive. Options to purchase 550,655 and 490,585 shares of Common Stock for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted income per share because the effect would be antidilutive.

Inventories

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventories

6. Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (determined using the first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value. Fixed production overhead is allocated to the inventory cost per unit based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. Abnormal production costs, including fixed cost variances from normal production capacity, if any, are charged to cost of revenues in the period incurred. All shipping and handling costs incurred in connection with the sale of products are included in cost of revenues.

The Company provides reserves for inventories estimated to be excess, obsolete or unmarketable. The Company’s estimation process for assessing net realizable value is based upon its known backlog, projected future demand and expected market conditions. If the Company’s estimated demand and/or market expectation were to change or if product sales were to decline, the Company’s estimation process may cause larger inventory reserves to be recorded, resulting in larger charges to cost of revenues.

Inventories were as follows (in thousands):


	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
Raw materials	$	27,022		$	28,362
Work-in-process		3,266			2,707
Finished goods		5,898			6,535

		36,186			37,604
Inventory reserves		(8,199	)		(7,649	)

Net balance	$	27,987		$	29,955

Other Investments	9 Months Ended
Other Investments	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]
Other Investments	7. Other Investments The Company’s gross investment in non-voting convertible preferred stock of Great Wall Semiconductor Corporation (“GWS”) totaled $5,000,000 as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, giving the Company an approximately 27% ownership interest in GWS. GWS and its subsidiary design and sell semiconductors, conduct research and development activities, develop and license patents, and litigate against those who infringe upon its patented technologies. A director of the Company is the founder, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), as well as the majority voting shareholder, of GWS. The Company and GWS are parties to an intellectual property cross-licensing agreement, a license agreement and two supply agreements under which the Company purchases certain components from GWS. Purchases from GWS totaled approximately $831,000 and $1,210,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The Company accounts for its investment in GWS under the equity method of accounting. The Company has determined that, while GWS is a variable interest entity, the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The key factors in the Company’s assessment were that the CEO of GWS has: (i) the power to direct the activities of GWS that most significantly impact its economic performance, and (ii) has an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from GWS, respectively, that could potentially be significant to GWS. There was no allocation of equity method income (loss) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, as GWS incurred a net loss in each period. The balance in the Company’s net investment in GWS was zero as of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012.

Severance Charges

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]

Severance Charges

8. Severance Charges

In February 2013, the Company initiated and completed workforce reductions. As a result, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $1,361,000 in the first quarter of 2013 for the cost of severance and other employee-related costs involving cash payments based on each employee’s respective length of service. These charges were recorded as “Severance charges” in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The related liability is presented as “Accrued severance charges” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

A summary of the activity related to the severance charges, by segment, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):


	BBU			VI Chip			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	—		$	—		$	—
Charges		1,123			238			1,361
Payments		(201	)		(81	)		(282	)

Balance as of March 31, 2013		922			157			1,079
Payments		(417	)		(51	)		(468	)

Balance as of June 30, 2013		505			106			611
Payments		(268	)		(94	)		(362	)

Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	237		$	12		$	249

Product Warranties

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Guarantees [Abstract]

Product Warranties

9. Product Warranties

The Company generally offers a two-year warranty for all of its products. The Company provides for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time product revenue is recognized. Factors that affect the Company’s warranty reserves include the number of units sold, historical and anticipated rates of warranty returns, and the cost per return. The Company assesses the adequacy of the warranty reserves and adjusts the amounts as necessary. Warranty obligations are included in “Accrued expenses” in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Product warranty activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, was as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Balance at the beginning of the period	$	329		$	461		$	364		$	572
Accruals for warranties for products sold in the period		127			161			228			379
Fulfillment of warranty obligations		(110	)		(133	)		(220	)		(430	)
Revisions of estimated obligations		1			(8	)		(25	)		(40	)

Balance at the end of the period	$	347		$	481		$	347		$	481

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	10. Stockholders’ Equity Under a tender offer completed on April 22, 2013, the Company purchased 1,341,575 shares of Common Stock for an aggregate cost of $6,708,000. Under a previous tender offer completed on March 7, 2013, the Company purchased 1,931,513 shares of Common Stock for an aggregate cost of $10,392,000.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, including other comprehensive income. Includes, but is not limited to, balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings, accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and amount of comprehensive income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Topic 505
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Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6521494

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Paragraph d
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Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 17: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 18: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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+ Details

Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

11. Income Taxes

The tax provision is based on the estimated annual effective tax rate for the year, which includes estimated federal, state and foreign income taxes (benefit) on the Company’s projected annual pre-tax income (loss) and estimated federal and state income taxes for certain noncontrolling interest subsidiaries that are not part of the Company’s consolidated income tax returns.

The (benefit) provision for income taxes and the effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, were as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	$	(406	)	$	86		$	(6,337	)	$	809
Effective income tax rate		(31.1	%)		23.5	%		(37.7	%)		48.3	%

For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013, a net income tax benefit was recorded primarily due to an increase in net federal deferred tax assets not covered by a valuation allowance, a potential net operating loss carryback for federal income tax purposes and the recognition of a benefit from the federal research tax credit for 2012 of $549,000, as a discrete item in the first quarter of 2013. The federal research tax credit for 2012 and 2013 was extended on January 2, 2013 pursuant to the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. The Company recorded a provision for income taxes for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2012 based on the Company’s projecting annual pre-tax income at that time. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was higher than statutory tax rates due to higher state tax expense from separate company calculations based off expected taxable income from Vicor-only operations that could not be offset by operating losses in other business segments. In addition, the Company did not have the ability to generate federal research and development credits as those credits had yet to be extended by the United States Congress for 2012.

As of September 30, 2013, the Company has a valuation allowance of approximately $8,759,000 primarily against certain state deferred tax assets, for which realization cannot be considered more likely than not at this time. Such deferred tax assets principally relate to tax net operating loss and credit carryforwards in certain state tax jurisdictions for which sufficient taxable income for utilization cannot be projected at this time, which may result in the net operating losses or credits or both potentially expiring without being utilized due to shorter carryforward periods. Management assesses the need for the valuation allowance on a quarterly basis. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, the Company considers all positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and income in the carryback period. If and when management determines the valuation allowance should be released, the adjustment would result in a tax benefit in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and may include a portion to be accounted for through “Additional paid-in capital”, a component of Stockholders’ Equity. The amount of the tax benefit to be recorded in a particular quarter could be material. Management believes it is more likely than not the Company’s net federal deferred tax assets of approximately $11,293,000 as of September 30, 2013 will be realized, based upon its assessment of all available evidence, both positive and negative. In light of recent operating losses, management is continuing to closely monitor the available positive and negative evidence on a quarterly basis to determine if the more likely than not standard will continue to be met. If management determines that the more likely than not standard will not be met, then the valuation allowance may need to be increased, and such adjustment in a particular quarter could be material.

In August 2013, the Company received notice from the Internal Revenue Service that its federal corporate tax returns for the tax years 2010 and 2011 had been selected for audit. The audit has commenced, but is in the early stages. There are no other income tax audits currently in process.

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	12. Commitments and Contingencies At September 30, 2013, the Company had approximately $1,220,000 of capital expenditure commitments. On January 28, 2011, SynQor, Inc. (“SynQor”) filed a complaint for patent infringement against Ericsson, Inc. (“Ericsson”), Cisco Systems, Inc. (“Cisco”) and the Company in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (“the Texas Action”). This immediately followed a complaint filed by the Company on January 26, 2011, in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, in which the Company sought a declaratory judgment that its bus converter products do not infringe any valid claim of certain of SynQor’s U.S. patents, and that the claims of those patents are invalid. With respect to the Company, SynQor’s complaint alleges the Company’s products, including, but not limited to, unregulated bus converters used in intermediate bus architecture power supply systems, infringe certain SynQor patents. SynQor seeks, among other items, an injunction against further infringement and an award of unspecified compensatory and enhanced damages, interest, costs and attorney fees. On February 8, 2011, SynQor filed a motion for preliminary injunction seeking an order enjoining the Company from manufacturing, using, selling, and offering for sale in the United States and/or importing into the United States certain identified unregulated bus converters, as well as any other bus converters not significantly different from those products. On February 17, 2011, the Company withdrew its Massachusetts action without prejudice to allow the litigation to proceed in Texas. On May 16, 2011, SynQor announced it was withdrawing its motion for preliminary injunction against the Company. On September 16, 2011, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued an order setting a trial date of July 7, 2014. On September 20, 2011, SynQor filed an amended complaint in the Texas Action. The amended complaint repeated the allegations of patent infringement against the Company contained in SynQor’s original complaint, and included additional patent infringement allegations with respect to U.S. Patent No. 8,023,290 (“290 patent”), which was issued on that day. As with SynQor’s original complaint, the amended complaint alleged that the Company’s products, including but not limited to the Company’s unregulated bus converters used in intermediate bus architecture power supply systems, infringed the asserted patents. On October 4, 2011, the Company filed an answer and counterclaims to SynQor’s amended complaint, in which the Company alleges the 290 patent is unenforceable because it was procured through inequitable conduct before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and seeks damages against SynQor for SynQor’s unfair and deceptive trade practices and tortious interference with prospective economic advantage in connection with SynQor’s allegations of patent infringement against the Company. The Company does not believe any of its products, including its unregulated bus converters, infringe any valid claim of the asserted SynQor patents, either alone or when used in an intermediate bus architecture implementation. The Company believes SynQor’s claims lack merit and, therefore, continues to vigorously defend itself against SynQor’s patent infringement allegations. In addition, the Company is involved in certain other litigation and claims incidental to the conduct of its business. While the outcome of lawsuits and claims against the Company cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not expect any current litigation or claims to have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Segment Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

13. Segment Information

The Company has organized its business segments according to its key product lines. The Brick Business Unit segment (“BBU”) designs, develops, manufactures and markets the Company’s modular power converters and configurable products, and also includes the operations of the Company’s Westcor division, the six entities comprising Vicor Custom Power, and the BBU operations of Vicor Japan Company, Ltd. (“VJCL”). The VI Chip segment includes VI Chip Corporation, which designs, develops, manufactures and markets the Company’s factorized power architecture (“FPA”) products. The VI Chip segment also includes the VI Chip business conducted through VJCL. The Picor segment includes Picor Corporation, which designs, develops, manufactures and markets integrated circuits and related products for use in a variety of power management and power system applications. Picor develops these products to be sold as part of the Company’s products or to third parties for separate applications.

The Company’s chief operating decision maker evaluates performance and allocates resources based on segment revenues and segment operating income (loss). The operating income (loss) for each segment includes selling, general and administrative and research and development expenses directly attributable to the segment. Certain of the Company’s indirect overhead costs, which include corporate selling, general and administrative expenses, are allocated among the segments based upon an estimate of costs associated with each segment. Assets allocated to each segment are based upon specific identification of such assets, which include accounts receivable, inventories, fixed assets and certain other assets. The Corporate segment consists of those operations and assets shared by all segments. The costs of certain centralized executive and administrative functions are recorded in this segment, as are certain shared assets, most notably cash and cash equivalents, deferred tax assets, long-term investments, the Company’s facilities in Massachusetts, real estate and other assets. The Company’s accounting policies and method of presentation for segments are consistent with that used throughout the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

The following table provides significant segment financial data as of and for the three months ended September 30, (in thousands):


	BBU		VI Chip			Picor			Corporate			Eliminations (1)			Total
2013:
Net revenues	$	42,331	$	12,457		$	2,836		$	—		$	(2,533	)	$	55,091
Income (loss) from operations		5,162		(5,555	)		(696	)		(266	)		—			(1,355	)
Total assets		119,739		19,898			4,345			98,614			(61,718	)		180,878
Depreciation and amortization		1,296		760			96			375			—			2,527
2012:
Net revenues	$	45,753	$	7,487		$	2,206		$	—		$	(2,498	)	$	52,948
Income (loss) from operations		7,903		(6,620	)		(813	)		(174	)		—			296
Total assets		94,532		22,085			5,245			129,444			(41,507	)		209,799
Depreciation and amortization		1,267		885			103			371			—			2,626

The following table provides significant segment financial data as of and for the nine months ended September 30, (in thousands):


	BBU		VI Chip			Picor			Corporate			Eliminations			Total
2013:
Net revenues	$	120,743	$	22,503		$	7,426		$	—		$	(6,770	)	$	143,902
Income (loss) from operations		9,752		(23,142	)		(2,711	)		(732	)		—			(16,833	)
Total assets		119,739		19,898			4,345			98,614			(61,718	)		180,878
Depreciation and amortization		3,773		2,468			315			999			—			7,555
2012:
Net revenues	$	136,510	$	31,425		$	7,320		$	—		$	(7,172	)	$	168,083
Income (loss) from operations		22,361		(18,424	)		(1,926	)		(542	)		—			1,469
Total assets		94,532		22,085			5,245			129,444			(41,507	)		209,799
Depreciation and amortization		3,771		2,677			309			1,113			—			7,870

(1)

The elimination for net revenues is principally related to inter-segment revenues of Picor to BBU and VI Chip and for inter-segment revenues of VI Chip to BBU. The elimination for total assets is principally related to inter-segment accounts receivable due to BBU for the funding of VI Chip and Picor operations.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 34
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8981-108599

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
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-Paragraph 41
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e9038-108599

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8595-108599

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8380-108599

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8933-108599

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e8906-108599

+ Details

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards	9 Months Ended
Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]
Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards	14. Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an amendment to the accounting guidance related to the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists. The guidance requires an unrecognized tax benefit to be presented as a decrease in a deferred tax asset where a net operating loss, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists and certain criteria are met. This guidance is effective prospectively for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. Effective January 1, 2013, the Company adopted new accounting guidance related to disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities. The new accounting guidance amends ASC 210, Balance Sheet, to converge the presentation of offsetting assets and liabilities between U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and requires entities disclose both gross information and new information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. The adoption of this new guidance did not impact the Company’s financial position or results of operations. Effective January 1, 2013, the Company adopted new accounting guidance for the reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. This guidance requires an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in its entirety to net income. For other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. The adoption of this new guidance did not materially impact the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

- Definition

The entire disclosure of changes in accounting principles, including adoption of new accounting pronouncements, that describes the new methods, amount and effects on financial statement line items.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507316

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Direct Effects of a Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6510796

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Indirect Effects of a Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6515603

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28359718&loc=d3e22580-107794

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.10-01.(b)(6))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27015980&loc=d3e46468-122699

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Accounting Change
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6503790

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
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Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Retrospective Application
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6523989

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
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Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
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-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6372559&loc=d3e725-108305

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 01
-Paragraph b
-Subparagraph 6
-Article 10

+ Details

Long-Term Investments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]

Summary of Available-for-Sale Securities

The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities (in thousands):


			Gross		Gross		Estimated
			Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
September 30, 2013	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
Failed Auction Securities	$	6,000	$	—	$	1,018	$	4,982
Brokered certificates of deposit		1,010		8		—		1,018
Certificate of deposit		231		—		—		231

	$	7,241	$	8	$	1,018	$	6,231


			Gross		Gross		Estimated
			Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
December 31, 2012	Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
Failed Auction Securities	$	6,100	$	—	$	1,121	$	4,979
Brokered certificates of deposit		1,280		12		—		1,292
Certificates of deposit		465		—		—		465

	$	7,845	$	12	$	1,121	$	6,736

Amortized Cost and Estimated Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Securities

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities on September 30, 2013, by contractual maturities, are shown below (in thousands):


			Estimated
	Cost		Fair Value
Due in one year or less	$	611	$	612
Due in two to ten years		630		637
Due in ten to twenty years		—		—
Due in twenty to forty years		6,000		4,982

	$	7,241	$	6,231

Roll Forward of Credit Loss Recognized in Earnings on Available-for-Sale Auction Rate Securities


	2013			2012
Balance at the beginning of the period	$	317		$	308
Additions for the amount related to credit loss for which other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized		85			—
Reduction for security sold during the period		(7	)		(16	)

Balance at the end of the period	$	395		$	292

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of available-for-sale securities which includes, but is not limited to, changes in the cost basis and fair value, fair value and gross unrealized gain (loss), fair values by type of security, contractual maturity and classification, amortized cost basis, contracts to acquire securities to be accounted for as available-for-sale, debt maturities, transfers to trading, change in net unrealized holding gain (loss) net of tax, continuous unrealized loss position fair value, aggregate losses qualitative disclosures, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses or other disclosures related to available for sale securities.

+ References + Details

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis include the following as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands):


	Using
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Fair Value as of September 30, 2013
Cash Equivalents:
Money market funds	$	12,485	$	—	$	—	$	12,485
Long-term investments:
Failed Auction Securities		—		—		4,982		4,982
Brokered certificates of deposit		—		1,018		—		1,018
Certificate of deposit		231		—		—		231

Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements as of September 30, 2013 are as follows (dollars in thousands):


					Range
			Valuation	Unobservable	(Weighted
	Fair Value		Technique	Input	Average)
Failed Auction Securities	$	4,982	Discounted cash flow	Cumulative probability of earning the maximum rate until maturity	0.01% - 0.05% (0.03%)
				Cumulative probability of principal return prior to maturity	74.24% - 95.60% (84.92%)
				Cumulative probability of default	4.39% - 25.71% (15.05%)
				Liquidity risk premium	5.00% - 5.00% (5.00%)
				Recovery rate in default	40.00% - 40.00% (40.00%)

Change in Estimated Fair Values Calculated for Assets Valued on Recurring Basis Utilizing Level 3 Inputs


Balance at the beginning of the period	$	4,979
Redemptions, at par		(100	)
Credit loss on available-for-sale securities included in Other income (expense), net		(78	)
Unrealized gain included in Other comprehensive income (loss)		181

Balance at the end of the period	$	4,982

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

value of stock option awards as of their grant date. Stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30 was as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Cost of revenues	$	59	$	10	$	103	$	36
Selling, general and administrative		348		205		1,529		679
Research and development		84		85		261		255

Total stock-based compensation	$	491	$	300	$	1,893	$	970

Net Income (Loss) per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Computation of Basic and Diluted Income Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted income (loss) per share for the three and nine months ended September 30 (in thousands, except per share amounts):


	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013			2012		2013			2012
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to Vicor Corporation	$	(932	)	$	191	$	(10,538	)	$	737

Denominator:
Denominator for basic income (loss) per share-weighted average shares (1)		38,538			41,811		39,414			41,811
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options (2)		—			4		—			7

Denominator for diluted income (loss) per share – adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed conversions		38,538			41,815		39,414			41,818

Basic income (loss) per share	$	(0.02	)	$	—	$	(0.27	)	$	0.02

Diluted income (loss) per share	$	(0.02	)	$	—	$	(0.27	)	$	0.02

(1)	Denominator represents weighted average number of Common Shares and Class B Common Shares outstanding.

(2)

Inventories (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Inventories

Inventories were as follows (in thousands):


	September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
Raw materials	$	27,022		$	28,362
Work-in-process		3,266			2,707
Finished goods		5,898			6,535

		36,186			37,604
Inventory reserves		(8,199	)		(7,649	)

Net balance	$	27,987		$	29,955

Severance Charges (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]

A Summary of Activity Related to Severance Charges

A summary of the activity related to the severance charges, by segment, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):


	BBU			VI Chip			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	—		$	—		$	—
Charges		1,123			238			1,361
Payments		(201	)		(81	)		(282	)

Balance as of March 31, 2013		922			157			1,079
Payments		(417	)		(51	)		(468	)

Balance as of June 30, 2013		505			106			611
Payments		(268	)		(94	)		(362	)

Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	237		$	12		$	249

Product Warranties (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Guarantees [Abstract]

Product Warranty Activity

Product warranty activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, was as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Balance at the beginning of the period	$	329		$	461		$	364		$	572
Accruals for warranties for products sold in the period		127			161			228			379
Fulfillment of warranty obligations		(110	)		(133	)		(220	)		(430	)
Revisions of estimated obligations		1			(8	)		(25	)		(40	)

Balance at the end of the period	$	347		$	481		$	347		$	481

Income Taxes (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Provision for Income Taxes and Effective Income Tax Rate

The (benefit) provision for income taxes and the effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, were as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	$	(406	)	$	86		$	(6,337	)	$	809
Effective income tax rate		(31.1	%)		23.5	%		(37.7	%)		48.3	%

Segment Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Significant of Segment Financial Data

The following table provides significant segment financial data as of and for the three months ended September 30, (in thousands):


	BBU		VI Chip			Picor			Corporate			Eliminations (1)			Total
2013:
Net revenues	$	42,331	$	12,457		$	2,836		$	—		$	(2,533	)	$	55,091
Income (loss) from operations		5,162		(5,555	)		(696	)		(266	)		—			(1,355	)
Total assets		119,739		19,898			4,345			98,614			(61,718	)		180,878
Depreciation and amortization		1,296		760			96			375			—			2,527
2012:
Net revenues	$	45,753	$	7,487		$	2,206		$	—		$	(2,498	)	$	52,948
Income (loss) from operations		7,903		(6,620	)		(813	)		(174	)		—			296
Total assets		94,532		22,085			5,245			129,444			(41,507	)		209,799
Depreciation and amortization		1,267		885			103			371			—			2,626

The following table provides significant segment financial data as of and for the nine months ended September 30, (in thousands):


	BBU		VI Chip			Picor			Corporate			Eliminations			Total
2013:
Net revenues	$	120,743	$	22,503		$	7,426		$	—		$	(6,770	)	$	143,902
Income (loss) from operations		9,752		(23,142	)		(2,711	)		(732	)		—			(16,833	)
Total assets		119,739		19,898			4,345			98,614			(61,718	)		180,878
Depreciation and amortization		3,773		2,468			315			999			—			7,555
2012:
Net revenues	$	136,510	$	31,425		$	7,320		$	—		$	(7,172	)	$	168,083
Income (loss) from operations		22,361		(18,424	)		(1,926	)		(542	)		—			1,469
Total assets		94,532		22,085			5,245			129,444			(41,507	)		209,799
Depreciation and amortization		3,771		2,677			309			1,113			—			7,870

(1)

Long-Term Investments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Auction rate securities, par value	$ 7,241,000	$ 7,845,000
Minimum Period for which failed Auction Securities been in unrealized loss position	12 months
Fair value of Failed Auction Securities	$ 6,231,000	6,736,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	1,018,000	1,121,000
Aggregate credit loss	395,000	317,000	$ 292,000	$ 308,000
Failed Auction Securities [Member]
Auction rate securities, par value	$ 6,000,000	6,100,000
Interest rates auction time	28 days
Period for which Failed Auction Securities been in unrealized loss position	Exceeds 12 months
Fair value of Failed Auction Securities	$ 4,982,000	4,979,000
Increase in fair value	103,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	1,018,000	$ 1,121,000
Aggregate credit loss	395,000
Aggregate temporary impairment loss	623,000
Increased aggregate credit (losses) gains on Failed Auction Securities	$ 78,000

Long-Term Investments - Summary of Available-for-Sale Securities (Detail) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost	$ 7,241,000	$ 7,845,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	8,000	12,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	1,018,000	1,121,000
Estimated Fair Value	6,231,000	6,736,000
Failed Auction Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost	6,000,000	6,100,000
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses	1,018,000	1,121,000
Estimated Fair Value	4,982,000	4,979,000
Brokered Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost	1,010,000	1,280,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	8,000	12,000
Gross Unrealized Losses
Estimated Fair Value	1,018,000	1,292,000
Certificate of Deposit [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost	231,000	465,000
Gross Unrealized Gains
Gross Unrealized Losses
Estimated Fair Value	$ 231,000	$ 465,000

Long-Term Investments - Amortized Cost and Estimated Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Securities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
Due in one year or less, Cost	$ 611
Due in two to ten years, Cost	630
Due in ten to twenty years, Cost
Due in twenty to forty years, Cost	6,000
Total Cost	7,241	$ 7,845
Due in one year or less, Estimated Fair Value	612
Due in two to ten years, Estimated fair Value	637
Due in ten to twenty years, Estimated Fair Value
Due in twenty to forty years, Estimated Fair Value	4,982
Estimated Fair Value	$ 6,231	$ 6,736

Long-Term Investments - Roll Forward of Credit Loss Recognized in Earnings on Available-for-Sale Auction Rate Securities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 317	$ 308
Additions for the amount related to credit loss for which other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized	85
Reduction for security sold during the period	(7)	(16)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 395	$ 292

Fair Value Measurements - Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	$ 6,231	$ 6,736
Failed Auction Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	4,982	4,979
Brokered Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	1,018	1,292
Certificate of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	231	$ 465
Recurring [Member] \| Failed Auction Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	4,982
Recurring [Member] \| Brokered Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	1,018
Recurring [Member] \| Certificate of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	231
Recurring [Member] \| Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Cash Equivalents	12,485
Recurring [Member] \| Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] \| Failed Auction Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value
Recurring [Member] \| Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] \| Brokered Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value
Recurring [Member] \| Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] \| Certificate of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	231
Recurring [Member] \| Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] \| Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Cash Equivalents	12,485
Recurring [Member] \| Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| Failed Auction Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value
Recurring [Member] \| Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| Brokered Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	1,018
Recurring [Member] \| Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| Certificate of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value
Recurring [Member] \| Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] \| Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Cash Equivalents
Recurring [Member] \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Failed Auction Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	4,982
Recurring [Member] \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Brokered Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value
Recurring [Member] \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Certificate of Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value
Recurring [Member] \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Money Market Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Cash Equivalents

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Percent of credit loss	6.40%
Rate of return required	5.00%
Estimated timeframe for auctions of securities minimum	3 years
Estimated timeframe for auctions of securities maximum	5 years
Percentage of liquidity risk premium	5.00%
Increase or decrease in the liquidity risk premium	1.00%
Increase or decrease, respectively, the fair value of the Failed Auction Securities	$ 300,000

Fair Value Measurements - Change in Estimated Fair Values Calculated for Assets Valued on Recurring Basis Utilizing Level 3 Inputs (Detail) - Recurring [Member] - Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] - Failed Auction Securities [Member] $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 4,979
Redemptions, at par	(100)
Credit loss on available-for-sale securities included in Other income (expense), net	(78)
Unrealized gain included in Other comprehensive income (loss)	181
Balance at the end of the period	$ 4,982

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation	$ 491	$ 300	$ 1,893	$ 970
Cost of Revenues [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation	59	10	103	36
Selling, General and Administrative [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation	348	205	1,529	679
Research and Development [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total stock-based compensation	$ 84	$ 85	$ 261	$ 255

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 21, 2013 $ / shares shares	Jun. 17, 2013 Participant	May 14, 2013 $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010 shares	Sep. 30, 2010 shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Eligible participants \| Participant		638
Options to purchase shares of Common Stock \| shares						1,531,077
Percentage of common stock		91.00%
Replacement option vesting period						5 years
Replacement option expiration period						10 years
Incremental expenses						$ 365,000
Unrecognized compensation expense				$ 318,000		318,000
Aggregate expenses				$ 491,000	$ 300,000	1,893,000	$ 970,000
Non-qualified stock options \| shares								2,984,250	1,243,750
Two Thousand Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Incremental expenses						208,000
Immediate expense recognition						190,000
Exercise price of options awarded \| $ / shares	$ 5.67		$ 5.35
Common stock options awarded \| shares	70,552		150,000
Two Thousand Plan [Member] \| Employees and Directors [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Incremental expenses						$ 625,000
Age of employees						62 years 6 months
Immediate expense recognition						$ 450,000
Performance Based Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Time-Based eligible Option exercise price \| $ / shares				$ 6.29		$ 6.29
Unrecognized compensation expense				$ 2,047,000		$ 2,047,000
Aggregate expenses						$ 2,300,000
Non-qualified stock options \| shares				66,000		66,000
Time Based Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Time-Based eligible Option exercise price \| $ / shares				$ 6.29		$ 6.29
Vicor Corporation Amended and Restated 2000 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, with Performance-Based Vesting Provisions [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense				$ 414,000		$ 414,000
Vi Chip 2007 Stock Option and Incentive Plan with Performance-Based Vesting Provisions [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense				$ 777,000		$ 777,000
Tranches One [Member] \| Performance Based Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock exercise price percentage						120.00%
Common stock sales price \| $ / shares						$ 6.29
Tranches One [Member] \| Time Based Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock exercise price percentage						120.00%
Tranches Two [Member] \| Performance Based Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock exercise price percentage						140.00%
Common stock sales price \| $ / shares						$ 7.34
Tranches Three [Member] \| Performance Based Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock exercise price percentage						160.00%
Common stock sales price \| $ / shares						$ 8.38
Tranche Four [Member] \| Performance Based Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock exercise price percentage						180.00%
Common stock sales price \| $ / shares						$ 9.43
Tranche Five [Member] \| Performance Based Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock exercise price percentage						200.00%
Common stock sales price \| $ / shares						$ 10.48

Net Income (Loss) per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Income Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to Vicor Corporation	$ (932)	$ 191	$ (10,538)	$ 737
Denominator:
Denominator for basic income (loss) per share-weighted average shares	38,538	41,811	39,414	41,811
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options		4		7
Denominator for diluted income (loss) per share - adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed conversions	38,538	41,815	39,414	41,818
Basic income (loss) per share	$ (0.02)		$ (0.27)	$ 0.02
Diluted income (loss) per share	$ (0.02)		$ (0.27)	$ 0.02

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References + Details

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Net Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6518256

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.19)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 260
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.18)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519514

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358780&loc=d3e565-108580

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 19
-Article 5

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 20
-Article 9

+ Details

Net Income (Loss) per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Income Per Share (Parenthetical) (Detail) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Options to purchase shares of Common Stock not included in the computation of diluted income per share	1,142,576	550,655	1,098,473	490,585

Inventories - Summary of Inventories (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 27,022	$ 28,362
Work-in-process	3,266	2,707
Finished goods	5,898	6,535
Inventory, gross	36,186	37,604
Inventory reserves	(8,199)	(7,649)
Net balance	$ 27,987	$ 29,955

Other Investments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership interest in investment	27.00%		27.00%
Purchase of components under agreement	$ 831,000	$ 1,210,000
Allocation of equity method income (loss)	0	$ 0
Great Wall Semiconductor Corporation (GWS) [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment in non-voting convertible preferred stock	0		$ 0
Great Wall Semiconductor Corporation (GWS) [Member] \| Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Investment in non-voting convertible preferred stock	$ 5,000,000		$ 5,000,000

Severance Charges - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Total severance charges		$ 1,361		$ 1,361

Severance Charges - A Summary of Activity Related to Severance Charges (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Severance And Other Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	$ 611
Charges		1,361			1,361
Payments		(282)		(468)	(362)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	249	1,079		611	249
BBU [Member]
Severance And Other Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	505
Charges		1,123
Payments		(201)		(417)	(268)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	237	922		505	237
VI Chip [Member]
Severance And Other Charges [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Beginning Balance	106
Charges		238
Payments		(81)		(51)	(94)
Restructuring Reserve, Ending Balance	$ 12	$ 157		$ 106	$ 12

Product Warranties - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
Product Warranties - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013
Guarantees [Abstract]
Warranty period	2 years

Product Warranties - Product Warranty Activity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Guarantees [Abstract]
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 329	$ 461	$ 364	$ 572
Accruals for warranties for products sold in the period	127	161	228	379
Fulfillment of warranty obligations	(110)	(133)	(220)	(430)
Revisions of estimated obligations	1	(8)	(25)	(40)
Balance at the end of the period	$ 347	$ 481	$ 347	$ 481

Stockholders' Equity - Additional information (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Apr. 22, 2013	Mar. 07, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Number of shares accepted	1,341,575	1,931,513
Common stock for aggregate consideration	$ 6,708,000	$ 10,392,000
Tender offer expiration date			Apr. 22, 2013

Income Taxes - Provision for Income Taxes and Effective Income Tax Rate (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	$ (406)	$ 86	$ (6,337)	$ 809
Effective income tax rate	(31.10%)	23.50%	(37.70%)	48.30%

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal research tax credit		$ 549,000
Valuation allowance for state deferred tax assets	$ 8,759,000
Net deferred tax assets	$ 11,293,000

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Capital expenditure commitments	$ 1,220,000

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013 Entity
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of entities comprising operating segment	6

Segment Information - Significant of Segment Financial Data (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 55,091	$ 52,948	$ 143,902	$ 168,083
Income (loss) from operations	(1,355)	296	(16,833)	1,469
Total assets	180,878	209,799	180,878	209,799	$ 202,581
Depreciation and amortization	2,527	2,626	7,555	7,870
Operating Segments [Member] \| BBU [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	42,331	45,753	120,743	136,510
Income (loss) from operations	5,162	7,903	9,752	22,361
Total assets	119,739	94,532	119,739	94,532
Depreciation and amortization	1,296	1,267	3,773	3,771
Operating Segments [Member] \| VI Chip [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	12,457	7,487	22,503	31,425
Income (loss) from operations	(5,555)	(6,620)	(23,142)	(18,424)
Total assets	19,898	22,085	19,898	22,085
Depreciation and amortization	760	885	2,468	2,677
Operating Segments [Member] \| Picor [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	2,836	2,206	7,426	7,320
Income (loss) from operations	(696)	(813)	(2,711)	(1,926)
Total assets	4,345	5,245	4,345	5,245
Depreciation and amortization	96	103	315	309
Operating Segments [Member] \| Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues
Income (loss) from operations	(266)	(174)	(732)	(542)
Total assets	98,614	129,444	98,614	129,444
Depreciation and amortization	375	371	999	1,113
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	(2,533)	(2,498)	(6,770)	(7,172)
Income (loss) from operations
Total assets	(61,718)	(41,507)	(61,718)	(41,507)
Depreciation and amortization

Fair Value Measurements - Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	$ 6,231	$ 6,736
Failed Auction Securities [Member] \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	$ 4,982
Valuation Technique	Discounted cash flow
Failed Auction Securities [Member] \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Cumulative Probability of Earning Maximum Rate Until Maturity [Member]
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	Cumulative probability of earning the maximum rate until maturity
Weighted Average Interest Rate	0.03%
Failed Auction Securities [Member] \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Cumulative Probability of Principal Return Prior to Maturity [Member]
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	Cumulative probability of principal return prior to maturity
Weighted Average Interest Rate	84.92%
Failed Auction Securities [Member] \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Cumulative Probability of Default [Member]
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	Cumulative probability of default
Weighted Average Interest Rate	15.05%
Failed Auction Securities [Member] \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Liquidity Risk Premium [Member]
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	Liquidity risk premium
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.00%
Failed Auction Securities [Member] \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Recovery Rate in Default [Member]
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Unobservable Input	Recovery rate in default
Weighted Average Interest Rate	40.00%
Minimum [Member] \| Failed Auction Securities [Member] \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Cumulative Probability of Earning Maximum Rate Until Maturity [Member]
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate	0.01%
Minimum [Member] \| Failed Auction Securities [Member] \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Cumulative Probability of Principal Return Prior to Maturity [Member]
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate	74.24%
Minimum [Member] \| Failed Auction Securities [Member] \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Cumulative Probability of Default [Member]
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate	4.39%
Minimum [Member] \| Failed Auction Securities [Member] \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Liquidity Risk Premium [Member]
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.00%
Minimum [Member] \| Failed Auction Securities [Member] \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Recovery Rate in Default [Member]
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate	40.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Failed Auction Securities [Member] \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Cumulative Probability of Earning Maximum Rate Until Maturity [Member]
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate	0.05%
Maximum [Member] \| Failed Auction Securities [Member] \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Cumulative Probability of Principal Return Prior to Maturity [Member]
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate	95.60%
Maximum [Member] \| Failed Auction Securities [Member] \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Cumulative Probability of Default [Member]
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate	25.71%
Maximum [Member] \| Failed Auction Securities [Member] \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Liquidity Risk Premium [Member]
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Failed Auction Securities [Member] \| Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] \| Recovery Rate in Default [Member]
Fair Value Of Assets And Liabilities Measured On Non Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Weighted Average Interest Rate	40.00%