An optical polarization rotator includes first and second optical waveguide ribs located along a planar surface of a substrate. The second optical waveguide rib is located farther from the surface than the first optical waveguide rib. First segments of the optical waveguide ribs form a vertical stack over the substrate, and second segments of the optical waveguide ribs are offset laterally in a direction along the planar surface. The first and second optical waveguide ribs are formed of materials with different bulk refractive indexes.