hep-th/9412044 Folded Strings ∗

Recent progress on the complete set of solutions of two dimensional classical string theory in any curved spacetime is reviewed. When the curvature is smooth, the string solutions are deformed folded string solutions as compared to flat spacetime folded strings that were known for 19 years. However, surprizing new stringy behavior becomes evident at singularities such as black holes. The global properties of these solutions require that the “bare singularity region” of the black hole be included along with the usual black hole spacetime. The mathematical structure needed to describe the solutions include a recursion relation that is analogous to the transfer matrix of lattice theories. This encodes lattice properties on the worldsheet on the one hand and the geometry of spacetime on the other hand. A case is made for the presence of folded strings in the quantum theory of non-critical strings for d ≥ 2. Based on a lecture delivered at the Gürsey Memorial Conference I, Strings and Symmetries, Istanbul, June 1994. To appear in the proceedings. Research supported in part by the Deparment of Energy under Grant No. DE-FG0384ER40168.