Twisted quantum fields in a curved space–time

Non-trivial space–time topology leads to the possibility of twisted fields viewed as cross sections of non-product vector bundles. For globally hyperbolic space–times twisted real and complex scalar fields are especially interesting, and are in one-to-one correspondence with certain groups determined by the space–time topology. Twisted fields can be quantized and lead to results differing from the usual ones. For example, spontaneous symmetry breaking may be suppressed and regularized vacuum self-energies take on different values. Sets of twisted fields may be collected together into a type of super-multiplet whose size is determined by the space–time topology.