Interacting one dimensional electron gas with open boundaries

We discuss the properties of interacting electrons on a finite chain with open boundary conditions. We extend the Haldane Luttinger liquid description to these systems and study how the presence of the boundaries modifies various correlation functions. In view of possible experimental applications to quantum wires, we analyse how tunneling measurements can reveal the underlying Luttinger liquid properties. The two terminal conductance is calculated. We also point out possible applications to quasi one dimensional materials and study the effects of magnetic impurities.Comment: 38 pages, ReVTeX, 7 figures (available upon request