Exhibit 5.1


                                 White & Case
                          1155 Avenue of the Americas
                           New York, New York 10036
                                (212) 819-8200


                              November 5, 1997


EMCORE Corporation
394 Elizabeth Avenue
Somerset, New Jersey 08873

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     You have requested our opinion in connection with the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") filed by EMCORE
Corporation (the "Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") for registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
of the Company's Common Stock in an aggregate amount of $281,250 (the
"Shares") which may be acquired by certain employees of the Company pursuant
to the terms and provisions of the Directors' Stock Award Plan (the "Plan").

     We are familiar with the corporate proceedings relating to the
authorization of the Shares and have reviewed the corporate proceedings taken
with respect to the approval of the Plan by the Company's Board of Directors
on August 8, 1996.  We have examined and relied on originals, or copies
certified to our satisfaction, of all such corporate records of the Company
and such other instruments and other certificates of public officials,
officers and representatives of the Company and such other persons, and we
have made such investigations of law, as we have deemed appropriate as a basis
for the opinion herein expressed.

     Based upon the foregoing, it is our opinion that the Shares will, if
issued and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Plan,
be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement.  By giving such consent we do not thereby admit that
we are an "expert" with respect to any part of such Registration Statement as
that term is used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules or
regulations of the Commission issued thereunder.

                                   Very truly yours,


                                   White & Case 
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