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                                                                     Exhibit 5.1



                                White & Case LLP
                            200 S. Biscayne Boulevard
                                   Suite 4900
                                 Miami, FL 33131



                                  May 11, 2001


EMCORE Corporation
145 Belmont Drive
Somerset, NJ  08873

Re:  EMCORE Corporation
     Registration Statement on Form S-8
     -----------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         You have requested our opinion in connection with the above-referenced
registration statement (the "Registration Statement"), which is concurrently
being filed by EMCORE Corporation, a New Jersey corporation (the "Company") with
the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act"). The Registration Statement relates to the registration of
4,750,000 shares of the Company's common stock (the "Shares") which may be
acquired pursuant to the terms and provisions of the EMCORE Corporation 2000
Stock Option Plan (the "Plan").

         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 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 Plans. 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.

         We do not express or purport to express any opinions with respect to
laws other than the Federal laws of the United States. As to all matters
governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey involved in our opinions set
forth below, we have relied, with your consent, upon an opinion of Dillon Bitar
& Luther dated today and addressed to us.



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                                                                     Exhibit 5.1
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         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,




                                                     /s/ White & Case LLP