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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.21
                                                                   -------------

                          CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT
                          ---------------------------

This Change in Control Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as
of June 19, 1999 by and between ORTEL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation
("Ortel"), and GEORGE M. PONTIAKOS, an individual ("Executive").

                                   RECITALS
                                   --------

Whereas, Executive is employed by Ortel as its Senior Vice President,
Operations, and in such other executive capacity or capacities as the board of
directors of Ortel may from time to time prescribe.

                                   AGREEMENT
                                   ---------

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the above Recitals and the covenants
contained herein, Ortel and Executive agree as follows:

Section 1.  Definition
----------------------

For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" shall mean the occurrence
of one or more of the following events:  (i) a single person or entity or group
of affiliated persons or entities (including a "group" as defined in Section
13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act") is
or becomes, directly or indirectly, the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule
13d-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act) of securities of Ortel representing 40% or
more of the total number of votes that may cast for the election of directors of
Ortel, or (ii) a merger or other business combination of Ortel with another
person or entity is consummated, or all or substantially all of the assets of
Ortel are sold to another person or entity, as a result of which merger,
combination or sale the shareholders of Ortel immediately prior to the
consummation of such transaction own, immediately after consummation of such
transaction, equity securities possessing less than 70% of the voting power of
the surviving or acquiring person or entity (or any person or entity in control
of the surviving or acquiring person or entity, the equity securities of which
are issued or transferred in such transaction), or (iii) as the result of or in
connection with any tender or exchange offer for the purchase of securities of
Ortel (other than an offer by Ortel for its securities), a merger,
consolidation, sale of assets, contested election of directors of Ortel or any
combination thereof, the persons who are directors of Ortel before such tender,
exchange offer, merger, consolidation, sale, contested election or combination
thereof cease to constitute a majority of the board of directors of Ortel or any
successor to Ortel.

Section 2  Termination Payments
-------------------------------

(a)  In the event that Executive's employment with Ortel is terminated by Ortel
within six months following a "Change in Control":

     (i)   Ortel shall continue to pay Executive, on a monthly basis, his basic
salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of termination for the twenty-
four month period commencing on the effective date of such termination.

     (ii)  Ortel shall continue to provide Executive all other benefits as in
effect immediately prior to the date of termination, including but not limited
to group health and life insurance benefits and an automobile allowance, for the
twenty-four month period commencing on the effective date of such termination.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Ortel's obligations to provide these benefits to
Executive shall cease upon and to the extent Executive acquires substantially
similar benefits from an employer other than Ortel.

     (iii) Notwithstanding any provisions of Ortel's 1994 Equity Participation
Plan or other similar plans (collectively, "Option Plans"), all outstanding
unvested stock options, if any, granted to Executive under any of the Option
Plans (or options substituted therefor covering for stock of a successor
corporation) shall be and become fully vested and exercisable as to all shares
of stock covered thereby effective as of the date of such

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.21
                                                                   -------------

termination.

(b)  Executive may elect at any time prior to January 30 of the year following
the year in which Executive's employment is terminated within six months of a
Change in Control, to be paid a lump sum severance allowance, in lieu of the
termination payments described in Section 2(a) above, in an amount equal to 85%
of the aggregate amount of compensation remaining payment to Executive
thereunder. Ortel shall pay such lump sum severance allowance to Executive
within thirty (30) days following such election by Executive.

(c)  For the purposes of Section 2(a), termination of Executive's employment by
Ortel shall include termination of Executive's employment by Executive for Good
Reason where "Good Reason" means the occurrence of any of the following
circumstances:

     (i)    a substantial reduction in the responsibilities of Executive but not
(x) a reduction based solely upon a change in reporting structure within Ortel,
(y) reduction in Executive's title, (z) a transfer to another position which
does not adversely affect Executive's responsibilities, or (w) a change in the
Executive's status, position or duties within Ortel which change results solely
by virtue of Ortel ceasing to be a public company or becoming a subsidiary or
division of a larger corporation.


     (ii)   the relocation by Ortel of Executive's offices to a location outside
of Los Angeles County or Orange County, California.


    (iii)   a reduction by Ortel in Executive's annual base salary as in effect
on the date hereof or as the same being increased from time to time.


Section 3.  No Obligation to Mitigate Damages
---------------------------------------------

   In the event of a termination of Executive's employment within six months of
a Change in Control, Executive shall have no obligation to mitigate damages by
seeking other employment and will be entitled to continue to receive the
payments and other benefits provided for in Section 2(a) and 2(b) of this
Agreement.

Section 4.  Reimbursement for Taxes
-----------------------------------

   In the event that Executive becomes entitled to payments or other benefits
upon termination in accordance with Section 2(a) and any such payments or
benefits will be subject to the tax (the "Excise Tax") imposed by Section 4999
of the Code (or any similar tax that may hereafter be imposed), the Company
shall pay to the Executive, at the time specified in Section 2(a), an amount in
addition to that provided for in Section 2(a) such that the net amount retained
by the Executive, after deduction of any Excise Tax on such Section 2(a)
payments or benefits and any federal, state and local income tax and Excise Tax
upon the payment of any additional amount provided for by this Section, shall be
equal to the amount provided for in Section 2(a).

Section 5.  Assignment; Agreement to Survive Dissolution or Merger
------------------------------------------------------------------

   Subject to Executive's right to terminate his employment, this Agreement
shall not be terminated by the voluntary or involuntary dissolution of Ortel or
by any merger where Ortel is not the surviving or resulting corporation, or upon
any transfer of all or substantially all of the business or assets of Ortel.  In
the event of any such merger or transfer, the provisions of this Agreement shall
be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the surviving entity or the
entity to which such business or assets shall be transferred.  This Agreement
may not be assigned by Executive.

Section 6.  Arbitration
-----------------------

   Except as provided in Section 7 hereof, any controversy or claim arising out
of or relating to this Agreement, or breach thereof, shall be settled by
arbitration in accordance with the Rules of the American Arbitration
Association, and judgment upon any proper award rendered by the arbitrators may
be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.  There shall be three
arbitrators, one to be chosen directly by each party at will,

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.21
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and the third arbitrator to be selected by the two arbitrators so chosen. To the
extent permitted by the Rules of the American Arbitration Association and not
limited by Section 7 hereof, the selected arbitrators may grant equitable
relief. If Ortel breaches its obligation under Section 2, it shall pay for all
the costs of arbitration. Otherwise, each party shall pay the fees of the
arbitrator selected by him and of his own attorneys, and the expenses of his
witnesses and all other expenses connected with the presentation of his case,
while the costs of the arbitration including the cost of the record or
transcripts thereof, if any, administrative fees, and all other fees and costs
shall be borne equally by the parties. Any arbitration shall be conducted in the
County of either Orange or Los Angeles, State of California.

Section 7.  Choice of Law
-------------------------

   The formation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be in
accordance with the laws of the State of California.

Section 8.  Notices
-------------------

   Any notice to Ortel required or permitted hereunder shall be given in
writing, either by personal service or by registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid, duly addressed to the President of Ortel at Ortel's then principal
place of business.  Any such notice to Executive shall be given in a like
manner, and if mailed, shall be addressed to Executive at his residence.  For
the purpose of determining compliance with any time limit herein, a notice sent
by mail shall be deemed given on the postmark date.  Any other notice shall be
deemed given upon receipt of the notice.

Section 9.  Sole and Entire Agreement; Separability
---------------------------------------------------

   This Agreement constitutes the sole and entire existing agreement between the
parties and completely and correctly expresses all of the rights and obligations
of the parties.  All prior agreements are completely superseded and revoked
insofar as any such prior agreement might have given rise to any enforceable
right.  In the event any Section or portion thereof is declared illegal, the
remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 10.  Waivers
--------------------

   The waiver in any particular instance or series of instances of any term or
condition of this Agreement or any breach hereof by either party shall not
constitute a waiver of such term or condition or of any breach thereof in any
other instance.

Section 11.  Agreement
----------------------

   This Agreement is subject to amendment only by subsequent written agreement
between, and executed by, the parties hereto.  Commencement or continuation of
any custom or practice shall not constitute an amendment hereof or give
additional rights to Executive or create additional obligations of Ortel with
respect to matters covered by this Agreement.

   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement at Alhambra,
California.


                                      ORTEL CORPORATION


/S/   George M. Pontiakos             By:   /s/ Stephen R. Rizzone
--------------------------               ----------------------------------
George M. Pontiakos                   Stephen R. Rizzone
                                      President and Chief Executive Officer

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