September 23, 2013

Securities and Exchange Commission

450 Fifth Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C.  20549

Re:                             Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.

Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-190591)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Pursuant to Rule 461 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), we, the representatives of the underwriters (the “Representatives”), hereby join in the request of Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (the “Registrant”), for the acceleration of the effective date of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-190591) (the “Registration Statement”), relating to a public offering of shares of the Registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, so that the Registration Statement may be declared effective at 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on September 25, 2013, or as soon thereafter as practicable.  The undersigned, as Representatives of the underwriters, confirm that they are aware of their obligations under the Securities Act.

Additionally, we hereby advise you that, as of the date hereof, 847 copies of the Preliminary Prospectus dated September 11, 2013 and included in Amendment No. 2 to the above-referenced Registration Statement, have been distributed to prospective underwriters, institutional investors, prospective dealers, individuals and others.

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The undersigned, as Representatives of the underwriters, hereby represent on behalf of the underwriters that the underwriters are acting in compliance and will act in compliance with the provisions of Rule 15c2-8 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in connection with the above proposed offering.