The Ablowitz–Ladik system with linearizable boundary conditions

The boundary value problem (BVP) for the Ablowitz–Ladik (AL) system on the natural numbers with linearizable boundary conditions is studied. In particular: (i) a discrete analogue is derived of the Bäcklund transformation that was used to solved similar BVPs for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation; (ii) an explicit proof is given that the Bäcklund-transformed solution of AL remains within the class of solutions that can be studied by the inverse scattering transform; (iii) an explicit linearizing transformation for the Bäcklund transformation is provided; (iv) explicit relations are obtained among the norming constants associated with symmetric eigenvalues; (v) conditions for the existence of self-symmetric eigenvalues are obtained. The results are illustrated by several exact soliton solutions, which describe the soliton reflection at the boundary with or without the presence of self-symmetric eigenvalues.