Loop gas model for open strings

The open string with one-dimensional target space is formulated in terms of an SOS, or loop gas model on a random surface. We solve an integral equation for the loop amplitude with Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions imposed on different pieces of its boundary. The result is used to calculate the mean values of order and disorder operators, to construct the string propagator and find its spectrum of excitations. The latter is not sensitive either to the string tension Λ or to the mass μ of the 'quarks' at the ends of the string. As in the case of closed strings, the SOS formulation allows us to construct a Feynman-diagram technique for the string interaction amplitudes. (orig.)