Principal bundles over a real algebraic curve

Abstract: Let X be a compact connected Riemann surface equipped with an anti-holomorphic involution \sigma. Let G be a connected complex reductive affine algebraic group, and let \sigma_G be a real form of G. We consider holomorphic principal G-bundles on X satisfying compatibility conditions with respect to \sigma and \sigma_G. We prove that the points defined over $\mathbb R$ of the smooth locus of a moduli space of principal G-bundles on X are precisely these objects, under the assumption that {\rm genus}(X) > 2. Stable, semistable and polystable bundles are defined in this context. Relationship between any of these properties and the corresponding property of the underlying holomorphic principal G-bundle is explored. A bijective correspondence between unitary representations and polystable objects is established.