A new mechanism for polarization rotation in rib waveguides is suggested and demonstrated in InP waveguides. The polarization rotation is achieved by loading a rib waveguide in a periodic asymmetric way. Complete TE↔TM conversion, with only 2–3 dB excess loss, is obtained in a 3.7‐mm‐long InP loaded waveguide. Strong polarization rotation (80%), in shorter devices (0.3 mm long), is also demonstrated.