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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

        We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "Selected
Historical Consolidated Financial Data of JDS Uniphase" and "Experts" included
in the Proxy Statement of JDS Uniphase Corporation and SDL, Inc. that is made a
part of the Registration Statement (Form S-4) and Prospectus of JDS Uniphase
Corporation for the registration of 2,527,532 shares of its common stock and to
the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated July 24, 2000, with
respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of JDS Uniphase
Corporation included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended June
30, 2000 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                                      /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

San Jose, California
February 9, 2001