EMCORE Corporation Unveils Industry's First Tunable XFP Optical Transceiver for Next Generation Telecom Networks

ALBUQUERQUE, NM --(March 20, 2009) - EMCORE Corporation (NASDAQ: EMKR), a leading provider of compound semiconductor-based components and subsystems for the fiber optic and solar power markets, today announced its plans to release a new full-band tunable XFP product line.

The EMCORE tunable XFP (TXFP) product line is capable of replacing fixed-wavelength dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) XFPs as well as high-performance tunable 300-pin multi-source agreed (MSA) transponders. The aggregate market for 10 Gb/s DWDM modules is estimated to be near $500 million by 2012 with a significant portion of interfaces expected to convert to TXFP within the same time period. (Source: Ovum-RHK Optical Components Market Forecast, Feb 2008)

Empowered by EMCORE's field proven tunable External Cavity Laser (ECL) technology, the TXFP provides excellent optical performance while tuning across more than 90 channels on the 50GHz ITU grid. The TXFP can be optimized for low power consumption to comply with existing XFP designs or for high optical performance to meet the requirements of existing 300-pin designs.

Stephen Krasulick, Executive Vice President and General Manager of EMCORE's Fiber Optics Division, stated, "This is a very exciting product line that adds significant value to two distinct market segments. Current fixed wavelength XFP customers can drop in our TXFP and realize immediate cost savings due to the flexibility provided by tunable optics. Customers of tunable 300-pin MSA modules will benefit from the flexibility and higher density afforded to them by migrating to pluggable optics." Krasulick added, "I truly believe that the introduction of our high performance TXFP will be a game-changer in DWDM networking, allowing a significant reduction in both capital expenditure and operating expenses, as well as a significant leap forward in line-card density."

EMCORE is conducting private demonstrations of the new TXFP product line at the OFC/NFOEC Conference and Exposition in San Diego, California on March 24-26. EMCORE plans to begin early sampling to lead customers within the first half of 2009. To schedule a demonstration, please visit us at Booth #703.

For more information, visit our website at www.emcore.com.

About EMCORE:
EMCORE Corporation is a leading provider of compound semiconductor-based components and subsystems for the broadband, fiber optic, satellite and terrestrial solar power markets. EMCORE's Fiber Optics unit offers optical components, subsystems and systems that enable the transmission of video, voice and data over high-capacity fiber optic cables for high-speed data and telecommunications, cable television (CATV) and fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks. EMCORE's Solar Power unit provides solar products for satellite and terrestrial applications. For satellite applications, EMCORE offers high-efficiency compound semiconductor-based gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cells, covered interconnect cells and fully integrated solar panels. For terrestrial applications, EMCORE offers concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) systems for utility scale solar applications as well as offering its high-efficiency GaAs solar cells and CPV components for use in solar power concentrator systems. For specific information about our company, our products or the markets we serve, please visit our website at www.emcore.com.

Safe Harbor:
Statements in this press release that are not historical facts, and the assumptions underlying such statements, constitute "forward-looking statements" and assumptions underlying "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including (a) the failure of the products mentioned (i) to perform as expected without material defects, (ii) to be manufactured at acceptable volumes, yields, and cost, and (iii) to be successful under field conditions, (b) the failure of the products to be selected by prospective customers for large-scale deployment and ^© the ability of the Company's customers to achieve their own business goals and objectives. Readers should also review the risk factors set forth in EMCORE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and EMCORE does not assume any obligation to update these statements.

Contact:
EMCORE Corporation
Silvia M. Gentile
Executive Offices
(505) 323-3417
info@emcore.com

TTC Group
Victor Allgeier
(646) 290-6400
vic@ttcominc.com