Minimal superstrings and loop gas models

We reformulate the matrix models of minimal superstrings as loop gas modelson random surfaces. In the continuum limit, this leads to the identification ofminimal superstrings with certain bosonic string theories, to all orders in thegenus expansion. RR vertex operators arise as operators in a Z_2 twisted sectorof the matter CFT. We show how the loop gas model implements the sum over spinstructures expected from the continuum RNS formulation. Open string boundaryconditions are also more transparent in this language.Comment: 36 pages, 3 figure