EXHIBIT 23.1


                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

         We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts and
Legal Matters" in the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-00000) and
related Prospectus of APA Optics, Inc. for the registration of $100,000,000 in
shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our
report dated May 14, 1999, with respect to the financial statements of APA
Optics, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended March
31, 1999, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                             /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 3, 2000