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                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.1



               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS




   
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-27931) and the
related Prospectus of Uniphase Corporation for the registration of 665,568
shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our
report dated July 30, 1997, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of Uniphase Corporation incorporated by reference in its Annual
Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended June 30, 1997 and the related financial
statement schedule included therein, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
    





                                                /s/ Ernst and Young LLP


   

San Jose, California
October 9, 1997