APA OPTICS, INC. ANNOUNCES STOCK REPURCHASE PLAN

           Company to repurchase up to 500,000 shares of common stock


     MINNEAPOLIS,  MN,  September,  19,  2001 -- APA Optics, Inc. (Nasdaq: APAT)
announced  today  its  board of directors has authorized the repurchase of up to
500,000  shares  or  $2,000,000,  whichever  is greater, of the Company's common
stock.  The  Company  has  a  total  of  11,919,081  shares  outstanding.  The
repurchase plan allows the Company to purchase shares of its common stock in the
open  market or in negotiated transactions until September 30, 2002.  The timing
and  exact  amount  of  purchases will depend on market conditions and purchases
will  be  made  with  consideration  given to covenants related to the Company's
debt.  The  repurchased  shares  may be used for issuance upon exercise of stock
options  and  warrants.

     "We  believe  that  our common stock is an excellent value and view a stock
repurchase  program  as  a  good way to enhance shareholder value," said Anil K.
Jain,  APA  Optics'  president  and  chief  executive  officer.

     APA  Optics,  Inc.  designs,  develops,  manufactures  and markets advanced
products  for  fiber  optic  communications, including dense wavelength division
multiplexing (DWDM) components, and gallium nitride compound semiconductor-based
ultraviolet  detectors,  instruments  and  consumer  products.  Additional
information  about  APA  is  available  at  www.apaoptics.com.

     Forward-looking  statements  contained herein are made pursuant to the safe
harbor provisions of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements
are  based  upon  the  Company's current expectations and judgments about future
developments  in  the Company's business. Certain important factors could have a
material  impact  on  the  Company's performance, including, without limitation,
delays  in or increased costs of production, delays in or lower than anticipated
sales of the Company's new products, the Company's ability to sell such products
at  a  profitable  price,  the  Company's  ability to fund operations, and other
factors discussed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities
and  Exchange  Commission.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking  statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such
statements  to  reflect  actual  events.