Superfields, Nilpotent Superfields and Superschemes

Abstract

We interpret superfields in a functorial formalism that explains the properties that are assumed for them in the physical applications. We study the non-trivial relation of scalar superfields with the defining sheaf of the supermanifold of super spacetime. We also investigate in the present work some constraints that are imposed on the superfields, which allow for non-trivial solutions. They give rise to superschemes that, generically, are not regular, that is they do not define a standard supermanifold.