Open string descriptions of spacelike singularities in two dimensional string theory

Abstract

The matrix model formulation of two dimensional string theory has been shown to admit time dependent classical solutions whose closed string duals are geodesically incomplete space-times with spacelike boundaries. We investigate some aspects of the dynamics of fermions in one such background. We show that even though the background solution appears pathological, the time evolution of the system is smooth in terms of open string degrees of freedom, viz. the fermions. In particular, an initial state of fermions evolves smoothly into a well-defined final state over an infinite open string time interval, while the time perceived by closed strings appears to end abruptly. We outline a method of calculating fermion correlators exactly using symmetry properties. The result for the two-point function is consistent with the semiclassical picture.