EXHIBIT 5.1

         OPINION AND CONSENT OF ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE & MALLORY LLP

                                                                  August 2, 2001



Multilink Technology Corporation
300 Atrium Drive, 2nd Floor
Somerset, New Jersey 08873

     Re: Multilink Technology Corporation Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to Multilink Technology Corporation,  a California
corporation (the "Company") in connection with the registration on Form S-8 (the
"Registration  Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  of (i)
48,880,440 shares of Class A Common Stock and related stock options for issuance
under the Company's  2000 Stock  Incentive  Plan (the  "Incentive  Plan"),  (ii)
2,071,652 shares of Class A Common Stock under the Company's 2000 Employee Stock
Purchase Plan (the "Purchase Plan"),  and (iii) 182,593 shares of Class A Common
Stock held by selling shareholders (the "Shareholders").  All of such shares are
collectively referred to herein as the "Shares."

     This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item
8 of Form S-8 and Item 601(b)(5)(i) of Regulation S-K.

     We  have  reviewed  the  Company's  charter  documents  and  the  corporate
proceedings  taken by the Company in connection  with the  establishment  of the
Incentive  Plan  and the  Purchase  Plan.  Based on such  review,  we are of the
opinion that,  (i) if, as and when the Shares have been issued and sold (and the
consideration  therefor  received)  pursuant  to (a) the  provisions  of  option
agreements duly  authorized  under the Incentive Plan and in accordance with the
Registration  Statement,  or (b)  duly  authorized  direct  stock  issuances  in
accordance  with the Incentive Plan and Purchase Plan and in accordance with the
Registration  Statement,  such Shares will be duly  authorized,  legally issued,
fully  paid  and   nonassessable  and  (ii)  the  182,593  Shares  held  by  the
Shareholders,  when sold in accordance with the  Registration  Statement and the
related  reoffer  prospectus  (as amended and  supplemented  through the date of
sale), will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     We  consent  to the filing of this  opinion  letter as  Exhibit  5.1 to the
Registration  Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we
are within the category of persons whose consent is required  under Section 7 of
the Act, the rules and  regulations of the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission
promulgated thereunder, or Item 509 of Regulation S-K.

     This opinion  letter is rendered as of the date first  written above and we
disclaim  any  obligation  to  advise  you of  facts,  circumstances,  events or
developments  which  hereafter  may be  brought to our  attention  and which may
alter,  affect or modify the opinion expressed herein.  Our opinion is expressly
limited to the  matters  set forth  above and we render no  opinion,  whether by
implication or otherwise, as to any other matters relating to the Company or the
Shares.

                                      Very truly yours,


                                     ALLEN MATKINS LECK GAMBLE & MALLORY LLP