Representations of Lie algebras of vector fields on affine varieties

For an irreducible affine variety $X$ over an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero we define two new classes of modules over the Lie algebra of vector fields on $X$ - gauge modules and Rudakov modules, which admit a compatible action of the algebra of functions. Gauge modules are generalizations of modules of tensor densities whose construction was inspired by non-abelian gauge theory. Rudakov modules are generalizations of a family of induced modules over the Lie algebra of derivations of a polynomial ring studied by Rudakov. We prove general simplicity theorems for these two types of modules and establish a pairing between them.