Polarization characteristics of a polychromatic wave.

We consider polarization characteristics of a polychromatic wave associated with the Stokes parameters and the Jones vector. It is shown that the Stokes parameters can fail to describe adequately the polarization state of the wave formed as a result of superposition of the waves having different frequencies. To characterize this superposition, a modified Jones vector is introduced. Moreover, we demonstrate that the common Stokes parameters determine uniquely the spin moment of the resulting wave field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]