EXHIBIT 23.1
 
              CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
  We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Selected
Consolidated Financial Data" and "Experts" and to the use of our report dated
July 31, 1995 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
Uniphase Corporation and to the use of our report dated May 27, 1996 with
respect to the combined financial statements of GCA Fibreoptics Ltd. and
Fiberoptic Alignment Solutions, Inc., in the Registration Statement (Form S-3)
and related Prospectus of Uniphase Corporation for the registration of
2,300,000 shares of its common stock.
 
                                          Ernst & Young LLP
 
San Jose, California
May 30, 1996