A polarization controller includes a plurality of liquid crystal cells positioned as cladding on a waveguide that propagates a beam of light so that the evanescent field extends into the liquid crystal cells, and a 1/2-wave birefringent retarder for rotating the eigenstates of polarization between the liquid crystal cells. For fast response, the evanescent field preferably extends only into the surface effect region of the liquid crystal cells, where directors in the liquid crystal respond faster to changes in voltages applied across the liquid crystal cells.