The present invention provides a system, apparatus and method to maintain the polarization state of an optical signal propagating within a photonic integrated circuit, or from a first photonic integrated circuit to a second photonic integrated circuit. According to various embodiments of the invention, an optical circuit is provided which includes a waveguide having one or more bends or curved portions. The bends or curved portions of the waveguide are configured to maintain the polarization orientation of the optical signal as the optical signal propagates through the waveguide, such that the polarization orientation at inputs or outputs, or at various points along the waveguide is known. Embodiments of the present invention mitigate polarization crosstalk, which in turn provides for improved processing efficiency.