Acta Mathematica Scientia 2018,38B(6):1846–1860

http://actams.wipm.ac.cn

THE GLM REPRESENTATION OF THE

TWO-COMPONENT NONLINEAR SCHRÖDINGER
EQUATION ON THE HALF-LINE∗

Qiaozhen ZHU ( Á|û) Engui FAN ( ‰B) †

School of Mathematical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China

E-mail : qiaozhenzhu13@fudan.edu.cn; faneg@fudan.edu.cn

Jian XU ( Mï)
College of Science, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
E-mail : jianxu@usst.edu.cn

Abstract The Gelfand-Levitan-Marchenko representation is used to analyze the initial-

boundary value problem of two-component nonlinear Schrödinger equation on the half-line.
It has shown that the global relation can be effectively analyzed by the Gelfand-Levitan-
Marchenko representation. we also derive expressions for the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map to
characterize the unknown boundary values.
Key words Gelfand-Levitan-Marchenko representation; initial-boundary value problem;
two-component nonlinear Schrödinger equation
2010 MR Subject Classification 35Q55; 37K10

1 Introduction
Many nonlinear evolution equations, such as Schrödinger equation, KdV equation and sine-
Gordon equation, can be written as a compatibility condition of two linear eigenvalue equations.
Such equations are called integrable and associated linear equations are called a Lax pair [1].
The Cauchy problem for linear equations can be solved by classical Fourier transform. The
analogous problem for nonlinear integrable equations can be solved by the inverse scattering
transform [2]. The spectral analysis of the x-part yields a nonlinear Fourier transform, while
the t-part determines the evolution of the nonlinear spectral data. Following the solution of
the initial value (IV) problem with decaying initial data, an outstanding open problem in the
analysis of integrable equations was the solution of initial-boundary value (IBV) problem.
In 1997, Fokas announced a new approach for the analysis of IBV problems for nonlinear
integrable systems [3, 4]. The Fokas method provides a generalization of the IST formalism
∗ Received July, 20, 2017; revised February, 28, 2018. This work was support by NSFC (11671095; 11501365).

Shanghai Sailing Program supported by Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality under
Grant NO.15YF1408100, Shanghai Youth Teacher Assistance program NO.ZZslg15056 and the Hujiang Foun-
dation of China (B14005).
† Corresponding author: Engui FAN.
No.6 Q.Z. Zhu et al: THE GLM REPRESENTATION OF 2-NLS EQUATION 1847

from IV to IBV problems, there has a big difference between the Fokas method and IST method,
i.e., Fokas method needs to analyze both x-part and t-part of the Lax pair. Hence, we need
all the boundary value data to formulate a Riemann-Hilbert problem. However, only part of
the boundary values can be prescribed for a well-posed problem, the remaining boundary data
cannot be independently specified, but are determined by the global relation, which is the most
difficult step. Several important integrable equations with 2× 2 Lax pair have been investigated
by the Fokas method, such as sine-Gordon equation [5], KdV equation [6], Schrödinger equation
[7–9].
In 2012, Lenells first implemented the Fokas method to IBV problems for integrable evolu-
tion equations with Lax pair involving 3 × 3 matrices on the half-line [10]. Folowing Lenells’s
work, the IBV problems of some important integrable evolution equations with 3 × 3 Lax pair
have been investigated, including the Degasperis-Procesi equation [11], Sasa-Satsuma equation
[12], three wave equation [13], the two-component Schröding equation [14, 15].
Recently, Xu and Fan used the Fokas method to investigate the IBV problems for the two
component Schröding equation on the half-line [16]. It was shown that the solution of the initial-
boundary value problem for the two-component nonlinear Schrödinger equation on the half line
can be expressed in terms of the solution of a 3 × 3 Riemann-Hilbert problem. The relevant
jump matrices are explicitly given by the spectral functions s(k), S(k), which are defined by the
initial values and boundary values. Furthermore, it was shown that given q01 , q02 and g01 , g02 ,
the functions g11 , g12 can be characterized through the solution of a certain global relation, and
g01 , g02 can be expressed in terms of g11 , g12 in turn. Although rigorous results were obtained,
the relevant formalism is quite complicated. In [18], it described the global relation can be
effectively analyzed if one introduces a Gelfand-Levitan-Marchenko (GLM) representation for
the eigenfunction of the t-part of the Lax pair evaluated at x = 0. Here we use the GLM
representation to derive an expression for the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map to characterize the
unknown boundary values in physical domain, which is different from the approach analyzed
the global relation in spectral domain.
In this paper, we consider the GLM representation for IBV problems of the two-component
Schrödinger (2-NLS) equation

 iq + q 2 2
1t 1xx − 2σ(|q1 | + |q2 | )q1 = 0,
σ = ±1, (1.1)
 iq2t + q2xx − 2σ(|q1 |2 + |q2 |2 )q2 = 0,

where σ = 1 means defocusing case and σ = −1 means focusing case, q1 (x, t) and q2 (x, t) are
complex-valued functions of (x, t) ∈ Ω, with Ω denoting the half-line domain

Ω = {(x, t)|0 < x < ∞, 0 < t < T }, (1.2)

here T > 0 is a fixed final time. And the initial-boundary conditions are

q1 (x, t = 0) = q10 (x), q2 (x, t = 0) = q20 (x),

q1 (x = 0, t) = g01 (t), q2 (x = 0, t) = g02 (t), (1.3)
q1x (x = 0, t) = g11 (t), q2x (x = 0, t) = g12 (t),

where q10 (x) and q20 (x) lie in Schwartz space.

1848 ACTA MATHEMATICA SCIENTIA Vol.38 Ser.B

This paper is organized as follows. In Section 2 we recall the Lax pair equation and the
global relation associated with the two-component Schrödinger equation. Then we derive a
GLM representation for the eigenfunction of the Lax pair in Section 3. In Section 4, we analyze
both the Dirichlet and Neumann problems of the two-component Schrödinger equation on
the half line with zero initial conditions. Furthermore, we establish the GLM representations
for initial-boundary problem of two-component Schrödinger equation which are equivalent to
formula obtained in [16].

2 The Global Relation

2.1 Lax Pair and Spectral Analysis
The 2-NLS equation admits a 3 × 3 Lax pair,
 
Ψ1
 
Ψx = U Ψ, Ψ= 
 Ψ2  , (2.1a)
Ψ3

Ψt = V Ψ, (2.1b)

where
U = ikΛ + V1 (2.2)

and
V = 2ik 2 Λ + V2 , (2.3)

here    
−1 0 0 0 q1 q2
    (1) (0)
Λ=
 0 1 0, V1 = 
 q̄1 0 0, V2 = kV2 + V2 , (2.4)
0 0 1 q̄2 0 0
where
(1) (0)
V2 = 2V1 , V2 = iΛ(V12 − V1x ). (2.5)

We introduce a new eigenfunction µ(x, t, k) by

2
Ψ = µeiΛkx+2iΛk t , (2.6)

then we find the Lax pair equations


 µ − ik[Λ, µ] = V µ,
x 1
(2.7)
 µt − 2ik 2 [Λ, µ] = V2 µ.

Letting  denotes the operators which acts on a 3 × 3 matrix X by ÂX = [A, X], then the
equations in (2.7) can be written in differential form as
2
d(e−(ikx+2ik t)Λ̂
µ) = W, (2.8)

where W (x, t, k) is the closed one-form defined by

2
W = e−(ikx+2ik t)Λ̂
(V1 dx + V2 dt)µ. (2.9)
No.6 Q.Z. Zhu et al: THE GLM REPRESENTATION OF 2-NLS EQUATION 1849

We define three eigenfunctions {µj }31 of (2.7) by the Volterra integral equations
Z
2
µj (x, t, k) = I + e(ikx+2ik t)Λ̂ Wj (x′ , t′ , k), j = 1, 2, 3, (2.10)
γj

where Wj is given by (2.9) with µ replaced with µj , and the contours {γj }31 are showed in
Figure 1.

Figure 1 The three contours γ1 , γ2 and γ3 in the (x, t)-domain

The solutions {µj (x, t, k)}3i=1 satisfy the symmetry [15]

T
µ−1
j (x, t, k) = Aµj (x, t, k̄) A, (2.11)

where
 
1 0 0
 
A=
0 −σ 0 
, σ 2 = 1. (2.12)
0 0 −σ

Here, the superscript T denotes a matrix transpose.

Then, we can define the 3 × 3 matrix-value spectral functions s(k), S(k) by

s(k) = µ3 (0, 0, k), (2.13a)

2
T Λ̂ −1
S(k) = µ1 (0, 0, k) = e−2ik µ2 (0, T, k). (2.13b)

We also introduce the functions {Φij }3i,j=1 as follows

 
Φ11 (t, k) Φ12 (t, k) Φ13 (t, k)
 

µ2 (0, t, k) =  Φ21 (t, k) Φ22 (t, k) Φ23 (t, k) 
. (2.14)
Φ31 (t, k) Φ32 (t, k) Φ33 (t, k)

Denoting the sets {Dj }4j=1 by (see Figure 2)

j−1 j
Dj = π < arg k < π,
2 2
it follows from (2.10) and (2.13), the functions s(k), S(k) have the following boundedness prop-
erties:
s(k) : (D3 ∪ D4 , D1 ∪ D2 , D1 ∪ D2 ),

S(k) : (D2 ∪ D4 , D1 ∪ D3 , D1 ∪ D3 ).
1850 ACTA MATHEMATICA SCIENTIA Vol.38 Ser.B

Figure 2 The sets Dn , n = 1, · · · , 4, which decompose the complex k-plane

2.2 The Global Relation

The spectral functions s(k) and S(k) are not independent but satisfy an important relation.
Indeed, it follows from (2.13) that
2
µ1 (x, t, k)e(ikx+2ik t)Λ̂
S −1 (k)s(k) = µ3 (x, t, k), k ∈ (D3 ∪ D4 , D1 ∪ D2 , D1 ∪ D2 ). (2.15)

Since µ1 (0, T, k) = I, evaluation at (0, T ) yields the following global relation

2
S −1 (k)s(k) = e−2ik T Λ̂
c(T, k), k ∈ (D3 ∪ D4 , D1 ∪ D2 , D1 ∪ D2 ), (2.16)

where c(T, k) = µ3 (0, T, k). It imposes a relation between the Dirichlet and Neumann boundary
values of q1 (x, t) and q2 (x, t). The Dirichlet-to-Neumann map is determined by solving this
relation for the unknown boundary values.

3 The Gelfand-Levitan-Marchenko Approach

In this section, we derive the Gelfand-Levitan-Marchenko representations for the eigenfunc-

tions Φij (t, k).
Theorem 3.1 The eigenfunctions {Φij }3i,j=1 admit the following GLM representations,
 Z t

 i
 Φ11 (t, k) = 1 +
 [L̃11 (t, s) − (g01 (t)M21 (t, s) + g02 (t)M31 (t, s))

 −t 2



 +kM −2ik2 (s−t)

 11 (t, s)]e ds,
Z t (3.1a)
 i 2
 Φ21 (t, k) =
 [L̃21 (t, s) + σḡ01 (t)M11 (t, s) + kM21 (t, s)]e−2ik (s−t) ds,

 −t 2

 Z t



 i 2
 Φ31 (t, k) = [L̃31 (t, s) + σḡ02 (t)M11 (t, s) + kM31 (t, s)]e−2ik (s−t) ds,
−t 2
No.6 Q.Z. Zhu et al: THE GLM REPRESENTATION OF 2-NLS EQUATION 1851
 Z t

 i

 Φ12 (t, k) = [L̃12 (t, s) − (g01 (t)M22 (t, s) + g02 (t)M32 (t, s))

 −t 2



 +kM 2ik2 (s−t)

 12 (t, s)]e ds,
Z t (3.1b)
 i 2

 Φ 22 (t, k) = 1 + [L̃22 (t, s) + σḡ01 (t)M12 (t, s) + kM22 (t, s)]e2ik (s−t) ds,

 −t 2

 Z t



 Φ32 (t, k) = i 2
 [L̃32 (t, s) + σḡ02 (t)M12 (t, s) + kM32 (t, s)]e2ik (s−t) ds,
−t 2
 Z t

 i

 Φ 13 (t, k) = [L̃13 (t, s) − (g01 (t)M23 (t, s) + g02 (t)M33 (t, s))

 −t 2



 +kM13 (t, s)]e 2ik2 (s−t)
ds,


Z t (3.1c)
 i 2

 Φ23 (t, k) = [L̃23 (t, s) + σḡ01 (t)M13 (t, s) + kM23 (t, s)]e2ik (s−t) ds,

 −t 2

 Z t



 i 2
 Φ33 (t, k) = 1 + [L̃33 (t, s) + σḡ02 (t)M13 (t, s) + kM33 (t, s)]e2ik (s−t) ds.
−t 2

Here the functions {Mij (t, s), L̃ij (t, s)}3i,j=1 are the elements of the 3 × 3 matrix M (t, s) and
L̃(t, s). And they satisfy the initial conditions

 M (t, −t) = M (t, −t) = M (t, −t) = M (t, −t) = M (t, −t) = 0,
11 22 23 32 33
(3.2a)
 L̃11 (t, −t) = L̃22 (t, −t) = L̃23 (t, −t) = L̃32 (t, −t) = L̃33 (t, −t) = 0,



 M12 (t, t) = g01 (t), M13 (t, t) = g02 (t), M21 (t, t) = σḡ01 (t), M31 (t, t) = σḡ02 (t),

 L̃12 (t, t) = i g11 (t), L̃13 (t, t) = i g12 (t), L̃21 (t, t) = − i σḡ11 (t), L̃31 (t, t) = − i σḡ12 (t),

2 2 2 2
(3.2b)
and an ODE systems


 M11,t (t, s) + M11,s (t, s) = 2(g01 (t)L̃21 (t, s) + g02 (t)L̃31 (t, s))



 +i(g11 (t)M21 (t, s) + g12 (t)M31 (t, s)),
(3.3a)

 M21,t (t, s) − M21,s (t, s) = 2σḡ01 (t)L̃11 (t, s) − iσḡ11 (t)M11 (t, s),




M31,t (t, s) − M31,s (t, s) = 2σḡ02 (t)L̃11 (t, s) − iσḡ12 (t)M11 (t, s),


 M12,t (t, s) − M12,s (t, s) = 2(g01 (t)L̃22 (t, s) + g02 (t)L̃32 (t, s))



 +i(g11 (t)M22 (t, s) + g12 (t)M32 (t, s)),
(3.3b)

 M22,t (t, s) + M22,s (t, s) = 2σḡ01 (t)L̃12 (t, s) − iσḡ11 (t)M12 (t, s),




M32,t (t, s) + M32,s (t, s) = 2σḡ02 (t)L̃12 (t, s) − iσḡ12 (t)M12 (t, s),



 M13,t (t, s) − M13,s (t, s) = 2(g01 (t)L̃23 (t, s) + g02 (t)L̃33 (t, s))



 +i(g11 (t)M23 (t, s) + g12 (t)M33 (t, s)),
(3.3c)

 M23,t (t, s) + M23,s (t, s) = 2σḡ01 (t)L̃13 (t, s) − iσḡ11 (t)M13 (t, s),




M33,t (t, s) + M33,s (t, s) = 2σḡ02 (t)L̃13 (t, s) − iσḡ12 (t)M13 (t, s),
1852 ACTA MATHEMATICA SCIENTIA Vol.38 Ser.B

  

 L̃11,t (t, s) + L̃11,s (t, s) =i g11 (t)L̃21 (t, s) + g12 (t)L̃31 (t, s)



 σ

 + (g01 ḡ11 + g02 ḡ12 − ḡ01 g11 − ḡ02 g12 )(t)M11 (t, s)



 2

 1


 + iġ01 − σ(|g01 |2 + |g02 |2 )g01 (t)M21 (t, s)

 2






 + iġ02 − σ(|g01 |2 + |g02 |2 )g02 (t)M31 (t, s) ,

 σ

 L̃21,t (t, s) − L̃21,s (t, s) = − iσḡ11 (t)L̃11 (t, s) + (ḡ01 g11 − g01 ḡ11 )(t)M21 (t, s)
2 (3.4a)
 σ

 + (ḡ g
01 12 − g ḡ
02 11 )(t)M 31 (t, s)

 2

 σ

 + [−iḡ˙ 01 − σ(|g01 |2 + |g02 |2 )ḡ01 ](t)M11 (t, s),

 2

 σ

 L̃ (t, s) − L̃ (t, s) = − iσḡ 12 (t)L̃11 (t, s) + (ḡ02 g11 − g01 ḡ12 )(t)M21 (t, s)

 31,t 31,s
2

 σ



 + (ḡ02 g12 − g02 ḡ12 )(t)M31 (t, s)

 2

 σ
 + [−iḡ˙ 02 − σ(|g01 |2 + |g02 |2 )ḡ02 ](t)M11 (t, s),
2
  

 L̃ 12,t (t, s) − L̃ 12,s (t, s) =i g 11 (t) L̃ 22 (t, s) + g 12 (t) L̃ 32 (t, s)



 σ

 + (g01 ḡ11 + g02 ḡ12 − ḡ01 g11 − ḡ02 g12 )(t)M12 (t, s)



 2

 1 


 + iġ01 − σ(|g01 |2 + |g02 |2 )g01 (t)M22 (t, s)

 2






 + iġ02 − σ(|g01 |2 + |g02 |2 )g02 (t)M32 (t, s) ,

 σ

 L̃22,t (t, s) + L̃22,s (t, s) = − iσḡ11 (t)L̃12 (t, s) + (ḡ01 g11 − g01 ḡ11 )(t)M22 (t, s)
2 (3.4b)
 σ

 + (ḡ g
01 12 − g ḡ
02 11 )(t)M 32 (t, s)

 2

 σ

 + [−iḡ˙ 01 − σ(|g01 |2 + |g02 |2 )ḡ01 ](t)M12 (t, s),

 2

 σ

 L̃ (t, s) + L̃ (t, s) = − iσḡ 12 (t)L̃12 (t, s) + (ḡ02 g11 − g01 ḡ12 )(t)M22 (t, s)

 32,t 32,s
2

 σ



 + (ḡ02 g12 − g02 ḡ12 )(t)M32 (t, s)

 2

 σ
 + [−iḡ˙ 02 − σ(|g01 |2 + |g02 |2 )ḡ02 ](t)M12 (t, s),
2
  

 L̃ 13,t (t, s) − L̃ 13,s (t, s) =i g 11 (t) L̃ 23 (t, s) + g 12 (t) L̃ 33 (t, s)



 σ

 + (g01 ḡ11 + g02 ḡ12 − ḡ01 g11 − ḡ02 g12 )(t)M13 (t, s)



 2

 1 


 + iġ01 − σ(|g01 |2 + |g02 |2 )g01 (t)M23 (t, s)

 2






 + iġ02 − σ(|g01 |2 + |g02 |2 )g02 (t)M33 (t, s) ,

 σ

 L̃23,t (t, s) + L̃23,s (t, s) = − iσḡ11 (t)L̃13 (t, s) + (ḡ01 g11 − g01 ḡ11 )(t)M23 (t, s)
2 (3.4c)
 σ

 + (ḡ01 g12 − g02 ḡ11 )(t)M33 (t, s)

 2

 σ

 + [−iḡ˙ 01 − σ(|g01 |2 + |g02 |2 )ḡ01 ](t)M13 (t, s),

 2

 σ

 L̃ (t, s) + L̃ (t, s) = − iσḡ 12 (t)L̃13 (t, s) + (ḡ02 g11 − g01 ḡ12 )(t)M23 (t, s)

 33,t 33,s
2

 σ



 + (ḡ02 g12 − g02 ḡ12 )(t)M33 (t, s)

 2

 σ
 + [−iḡ˙ 02 − σ(|g01 |2 + |g02 |2 )ḡ02 ](t)M13 (t, s).
2
No.6 Q.Z. Zhu et al: THE GLM REPRESENTATION OF 2-NLS EQUATION 1853

Proof Assume that

Z t
2 2
Ψ(t, k) = e2ik Λt
+ (L(t, s) + kM (t, s))e2ik sΛ
ds, (3.5)
−t

where L and M are 3 × 3 matrices. Substituting the above equation (3.5) into the t-part of the
Lax pair (2.1) with the boundary condition Ψ(0, k) = I, and noticing the identity
Z t  Z t 
2 2 2 2
2ik 2 F (t, s)e2ik sΛ ds = F (t, t)e2ik tΛ − F (t, −t)e−2ik tΛ − Fs (t, s)e2ik sΛ ds Λ, (3.6)
−t −t

where F (t, s) is a 3 × 3-matrix-value function, and this identity is derived directly by using
integration by parts. We find the following equations

M (t, −t) + ΛM (t, −t)Λ = 0, (3.7a)

(1)
L(t, −t) + ΛL(t, −t)Λ − iV2 M (t, −t)Λ = 0, (3.7b)
(1)
M (t, t) − ΛM (t, t)Λ = 2V2 , (3.8a)
(1) (0)
L(t, t) − ΛL(t, t)Λ + iV2 M (t, t)Λ = V2 , (3.8b)
(1) (0)
Mt (t, s) + ΛMs (t, s)Λ = 2V2 L(t, s) + V2 M (t, s), (3.9a)
(1) (0)
Lt (t, s) + ΛLs (t, s)Λ = iV2 Ms (t, s)Λ + V2 L(t, s). (3.9b)

Set
i (1)
L(t, s) = L̃(t, s) − V2 ΛM (t, s). (3.10)
2
Then, we find
M (t, −t) + ΛM (t, −t)Λ = 0, (3.11a)

L̃(t, −t) + ΛL̃(t, −t)Λ = 0, (3.11b)

(1)
M (t, t) − ΛM (t, t)Λ = 2V2 , (3.12a)
(1)
L̃(t, t) − ΛL̃(t, t)Λ = −iΛV2x , (3.12b)

(1) (1) (0)

Mt (t, s) + ΛMs (t, s)Λ = 2V2 L̃(t, s) − (i(V2 )2 Λ − V2 )M (t, s), (3.13a)
i (1) (1) (1) (1) (0) (0) (1)
L̃t (t, s) + ΛL̃s (t, s)Λ = (V̇2 Λ − iV2 Λ(V2 )2 Λ + V2 ΛV2 − V2 V2 Λ)M (t, s)
2 (3.13b)
(1) (1)
+ (V20 + iV2 ΛV2 )L̃(t, s),

where the f˙ denotes that df

dt .
(0) (1) (1)
Recalling that the definition of V2 = iΛ((V2 )2 − V2x ), we can write equation (3.13) as
(1) (1)
Mt (t, s) + ΛMs (t, s)Λ = 2V2 L̃(t, s) − iΛV2x M (t, s), (3.14a)
i (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1)
L̃t (t, s) + ΛL̃s (t, s)Λ = (V̇2 Λ + i(V2 )3 + iV2x V2 − iV2 V2x )M (t, s)
2 (3.14b)
(1)
− iΛV2x L̃(t, s).
1854 ACTA MATHEMATICA SCIENTIA Vol.38 Ser.B

If we denote the matrices M (t, s) and L̃(t, s) by

 
M11 (t, s) M12 (t, s) M13 (t, s)
 
M (t, s) =  
 M21 (t, s) M22 (t, s) M23 (t, s)  , (3.15)
M31 (t, s) M32 (t, s) M33 (t, s)
 
L̃11 (t, s) L̃12 (t, s) L̃13 (t, s)
 
L̃(t, s) =  
 L̃21 (t, s) L̃22 (t, s) L̃23 (t, s)  . (3.16)
L̃31 (t, s) L̃32 (t, s) L̃33 (t, s)

By equations (3.11), (3.12) and (3.14), we can get the initial conditions (3.2) and the ODE
systems (3.3), (3.4), respectively.
2
Finally, noticing the relation µ(0, t, k) = Ψ(t, k)e−2ik tΛ and definition (2.14) of {Φij (t,
k)}3i,j=1 , we can get the GLM representation (3.1) from equations (3.5) and (3.10). 

4 The Solution of the Global Relation

In this section, we consider the solution of the global relation. Theorems 4.1 below leads
to expressions for the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map in terms of the GLM representations.

4.1 The Dirichlet-to-Neumann Map

In order to simplify our formulas, we use some notations as following.

• For a function f (t, s), we let fˆ(t, k) denote the transform

Z t
2
fˆ(t, k) = f (t, s)e2ik (s−t) ds. (4.1)
−t

The GLM representation of Φ12 (t, k), Φ13 (t, k) can be written as
 
b̃ (t, k) − i g (t)M̂ (t, k) + g (t)M̂ (t, k) + k M̂ (t, k),
Φ12 (t, k) = L (4.2a)
12 01 22 02 32 12
2
 
b̃ (t, k) − i g (t)M̂ (t, k) + g (t)M̂ (t, k) + k M̂ (t, k).
Φ13 (t, k) = L (4.2b)
13 01 23 02 33 13
2
Theorem 4.1 Let q10 (x) = q20 (x) = 0, be two vanishing initial data. For the Dirichlet
problem it is assumed that the functions {g01 (t), g02 (t)} have sufficient smoothness and are
compatible with {q10 (x), q20 (x)} at x = t = 0, that is

q10 (0) = g10 (0), q20 (0) = g20 (0).

For the Neumann problem it is assumed that the functions {g11 (t), g12 (t)} have sufficient
smoothness and are compatible with {q10 (x), q20 (x)} at x = t = 0.
Then the spectral function {s−1 (k), S(k)} is given by
 
s11 (k̄) − σs21 (k̄) −σs31 (k̄)
 
s−1 (k) = 
 −σs12 (k̄) s22 (k̄) s32 (k̄) 
, (4.3)
−σs13 (k̄) s23 (k̄) s33 (k̄)
No.6 Q.Z. Zhu et al: THE GLM REPRESENTATION OF 2-NLS EQUATION 1855
 2 2

Φ11 (k̄) − σΦ21 (k̄)e4ik T
−σΦ31 (k̄)e4ik T
 
S(k) = 
 −σΦ12 (k̄)e
−4ik2 T
Φ22 (k̄) Φ32 (k̄) ,
 (4.4)
2
−σΦ13 (k̄)e−4ik T
Φ23 (k̄) Φ33 (k̄)
and the complex-value functions {Φij (t, k)}3i,j=1 satisfy the GLM representations defined as
(3.1).

(i) For the Dirichlet problem, the unknown boundary value g11 (t), g12 (t) is given by
Z
4 g01 (t)
g11 (t) =g01 (t)M22 (t, t) + g02 (t)M32 (t, t) − [k 2 M̂12 (t, k) − ]dk
iπ ∂D10 2i
Z (4.5a)
4 2 1
− ke−4ik t Φ11 (t, k)(s12 s33 − s13 s32 )(k)dk,
iπ ∂D10 s11 (k̄)
Z
4 g02 (t)
g12 (t) =g01 (t)M23 (t, t) + g02 (t)M33 (t, t) − [k 2 M̂13 (t, k) − ]dk
iπ ∂D10 2i
Z (4.5b)
4 −4ik2 t 1
− ke Φ11 (t, k)(−s12 s23 + s13 s22 )(k)dk.
iπ ∂D10 s11 (k̄)

(ii) For the Neumann problem, the unknown boundary value g01 (t), g02 (t) is given by
Z
2 ˆ (t, k) − i (g (t)M̂ (t, k) + g (t)M̂ (t, k))]dk
g01 (t) = − [L̃ 12 01 22 02 32
π ∂D10 2
Z (4.6a)
2 2 1
− e−4ik t Φ11 (t, k)(s12 s33 − s13 s32 )(k)dk,
π ∂D10 s11 (k̄)
Z
2 ˆ (t, k) − i (g (t)M̂ (t, k) + g (t)M̂ (t, k))]dk
g02 (t) = − [L̃ 13 01 23 02 33
π ∂D10 2
Z (4.6b)
2 2 1
− e−4ik t Φ11 (t, k)(−s12 s23 + s13 s22 )(k)dk.
π ∂D10 s11 (k̄)

The functions M22 (t, t), M32 (t, t), M23 (t, t), M33 (t, t) involved in (4.5) can be expressed in terms
of Φij (t, k).
Proof Expressions (4.3), (4.4) are similarly proved as [15]. Let us first consider the
Dirichlet problem to prove equation (4.5). Noticing that (1,2)th and (1,3)th terms of (2.16) can
be written as
2
Φ12 s22 (k) + Φ13 s32 (k) = c12 (t, k) − Φ11 s12 (k)e−4ik t , (4.7a)
2
Φ12 s23 (k) + Φ13 s33 (k) = c13 (t, k) − Φ11 s13 (k)e−4ik t . (4.7b)
Solving the two equations for Φ12 , Φ13 , we get
1
Φ12 (t, k) = (c12 (t, k)s33 (k) − c13 (t, k)s32 (k))
s11 (k̄)
(4.8a)
1 2
− Φ11 (t, k)(s12 s33 − s13 s32 )(k)e−4ik t ,
s11 (k̄)
1
Φ13 (t, k) = (−c12 (t, k)s23 (k) + c13 (t, k)s22 (k))
s11 (k̄)
(4.8b)
1 2
− Φ11 (t, k)(−s12 s23 + s13 s22 )(k)e−4ik t .
s11 (k̄)
1856 ACTA MATHEMATICA SCIENTIA Vol.38 Ser.B

ˆ can be written as
In the view of the GLM representations (4.2a), L̃ 12

ˆ (t, k) = i (g (t)M̂ (t, k) + g (t)M̂ (t, k)) − k M̂ (t, k)

L̃ 12 01 22 02 32 12
2
1
+ (c12 (t, k)s33 (k) − c13 (t, k)s32 (k))
s11 (k̄)
1 2
− Φ11 (t, k)(s12 s33 − s13 s32 )(k)e−4ik t . (4.9)
s11 (k̄)
2 ′
Multiplying this equation by ke4ik (t−t ) , 0 < t′ < t, and integrating along ∂D10 with respect
to dk, we obtain
Z Z
2 ′ ˆ i 2 ′
ke4ik (t−t ) L̃ 12 (t, k)dk = ke4ik (t−t ) (g01 (t)M̂22 (t, k) + g02 (t)M̂32 (t, k))dk
∂D10 2 ∂D10
Z
2 ′ 1
− ke−4ik t { Φ11 (t, k)(s12 s33 − s13 s32 )(k)dk
0
∂D1 s11 (k̄)
Z
2 ′
− k 2 e4ik (t−t ) M̂12 (t, k)dk, (4.10)
∂D10

where we have used that the function k(c12 s33 − c13 s32 )(t, k) is bounded and analytic in ∂D10
so that its contributions vanish by Jordan’s lemma.
The next is to take limit t′ → t in (4.10). This can be achieved by using the identities [3]
π
 ′
Z  f (t, 2t − t), 0 < t′ < t,
4ik2 (t−t′ ) ˆ 2
ke f (t, k)dk = (4.11)
∂D10 π
 f (t, t), 0 < t′ = t
4
and
Z
2 ′
k 2 e4ik (t−t ) fˆ(t, k)dk
∂D10
Z Z t′ 
2 4ik2 (τ −t′ ) f (t, 2t′ − t)
=2 k e f (t, 2τ − t)dτ − dk, 0 < t′ < t. (4.12)
∂D10 0 4ik 2
Utilizing this identity in (4.10), we find
π iπ
L̃12 (t, 2t′ − t) = (g01 (t)M22 (t, 2t′ − t) + g02 (t)M32 (t, 2t′ − t))
2 22
Z  Z t′ 
2 4ik2 (τ −t′ ) M12 (t, 2t′ − t)
−2 k e M12 (t, 2τ − t)dτ − dk
∂D10 0 4ik 2
Z
2 ′ 1
− ke−4ik t Φ11 (t, k)(s12 s33 − s13 s32 )(k)dk. (4.13)
∂D10 s11 (k̄)
Letting t′ → t in this equation and using the initial conditions (3.2), we find the representation
in (4.5a).
Indeed, M22 (t, t), M32 (t, t) involved in (4.5a) can be expressed in terms of Φij (t, k). We
recall that Z t
2
Φ22 (t, k) = 1 + (L22 (t, s) + kM22 (t, s))e2ik (s−t)
ds (4.14)
−t

and then we have

1
k Mˆ22 (t, k) = (Φ22 (t, k) − Φ22 (t, −k)). (4.15)
2
No.6 Q.Z. Zhu et al: THE GLM REPRESENTATION OF 2-NLS EQUATION 1857
2 ′
Multiplying this equation by e4ik (t−t ) , 0 < t′ < t and integrating along the contour ∂D10 , we
arrive at the equation by the second row of (4.11)
Z
2
M22 (t, t) = (Φ22 (t, k) − Φ22 (t, −k))dk. (4.16)
π ∂D10

In the same way,

Z
2
M32 (t, t) = (Φ32 (t, k) − Φ32 (t, −k))dk. (4.17)
π ∂D10

To prove equation (4.5b), we use (4.2b). Noticing that L̃ ˆ can be written as

13
 
ˆ (t, k) = i g (t)M̂ (t, k) + g (t)M̂ (t, k) − k M̂ (t, k)
L̃ 13 01 23 02 33 13
2
1
+ (−c12 (t, k)s23 (k) + c13 (t, k)s22 (k))
s11 (k̄)
1 2
− Φ11 (t, k)(−s12 s23 + s13 s22 )(k)e−4ik t . (4.18)
s11 (k̄)
Similar to the process of the proof of (4.5a), we find representation (4.5b), and
Z
2
M23 (t, t) = (Φ23 (t, k) − Φ23 (t, −k))dk,
π ∂D10
Z
2
M33 (t, t) = (Φ33 (t, k) − Φ33 (t, −k))dk.
π ∂D10

We now consider the Neumann problem. Solving (4.2a) and (4.8a) for Mˆ12 , we find

ˆ (t, k) + i (g (t)M̂ (t, k) + g (t)M̂ (t, k))

k M̂12 (t, k) = − L̃ 12 01 22 02 32
2
1
+ (c12 (t, k)s33 (k) − c13 (t, k)s32 (k))
s11 (k̄)
1 2
− Φ11 (t, k)(s12 s33 − s13 s32 )(k)e−4ik t . (4.19)
s11 (k̄)
2 ′
Multiplying this equation by e4ik (t−t ) , 0 < t′ < t, and integrating along ∂D10 with respect to
dk, we obtain
Z  
π 2 ′ ˆ (t, k) − i (g (t)M̂ (t, k) + g (t)M̂ (t, k)) dk
M12 (t, 2t′ − t) = − e4ik (t−t ) L̃ 12 01 22 02 32
2 ∂D0 2
Z 1
2 ′ 1
− e−4ik t Φ11 (t, k)(s12 s33 − s13 s32 )(k)dk, (4.20)
0
∂D1 s11 (k̄)
where we used that the functions

c12 (t, k)s33 (k) − c13 (t, k)s32 (k)

are bounded and annlytic in ∂D10 so that its contributions vanish by Jordan’s lemma.
Letting t′ → t, using the initial conditions (3.2), we find representation (4.6a). Similar to
prove the result for (4.6b). 
1858 ACTA MATHEMATICA SCIENTIA Vol.38 Ser.B

4.2 Equivalence of the Two Representations

We will show that the representations derived using the GLM approach in Theorem 4.1
coincide with those of Theorem 4.2 in [16].
• The Dirichlet problem, i.e., the representation for g11 (t), g12 (t).
Using the formula
1
M̂ij = Φij,− , i, j = 1, 2, 3,
2k
we can write the representation of (4.5) as

g11 (t) = g01 (t)M22 (t, t) + g02 (t)M32 (t, t)

Z
2
− [k(Φ12 (t, k) − Φ12 (t, −k)) + ig01 (t)]dk
iπ ∂D10 (4.21a)
Z
4 2 1
− ke−4ik t Φ11 (t, k)(s12 s33 − s13 s32 )(k)dk,
iπ ∂D10 s11 (k̄)

g12 (t) = g01 (t)M23 (t, t) + g02 (t)M33 (t, t)

Z
2
− [k(Φ13 (t, k) − Φ13 (t, −k)) + ig02 (t)]dk
iπ ∂D10 (4.21b)
Z
4 2 1
− ke−4ik t Φ11 (t, k)(−s12 s23 + s13 s22 )(k)dk,
iπ ∂D10 s11 (k̄)
which are equivalent to equation (4.26) in [16].
• The Neumann problem, i.e., the Representation for g01 (t), g02 (t).
Using the formulas
ˆ − i(g (t)M̂ + g (t)M̂ ),
Φ12,+ = 2L̃ 12 01 22 02 32
(4.22)
ˆ − i(g (t)M̂ + g (t)M̂ ).
Φ13,+ = 2L̃ 13 01 23 02 33

a straightforward computation shows that the representations of (4.6) and equations (4.27) in
[16] are equivalent.

5 Linearizable Boundary Condition

It was shown in [4, 19] that for certain boundary conditions, it is possible to bypass the
nonlinear equations satisfied by the missing boundary values and to obtain the spectral function
S(k) by using only algebraic manipulations. In what follows we show that for such boundary
conditions the nonlinear ODEs satisfied by {Φij } can be linearized. To achieve this, we use the
so-called direct linearizing transform [19].  
A11 A1j
If we partition the 3 × 3 matrix A = (Aij )3i,j=1 by A =  , j = 2, 3, and denote
Aj1 A2×2
g0 and g1 as two component row vectors by g0 = (g01 (t), g02 (t)) and g1 = (g11 (t), g12 (t)),
respectively. Let g0 (t) = 0, equation (2.1b) can be written as

 Ψ + 2ik 2 Ψ − ig Ψ = 0,
11t 11 1 j1
(5.1a)
 Ψj1t − 2ik 2 Ψj1 + iḡ T Ψ11 = 0,
1
No.6 Q.Z. Zhu et al: THE GLM REPRESENTATION OF 2-NLS EQUATION 1859

Ψ + 2ik 2 Ψ1j − ig1 Ψ2×2 = 0,
1jt
(5.1b)
 Ψ2×2t − 2ik 2 Ψ2×2 + iḡ T Ψ1j = 0.
1

These equations imply Ψ1j (t, k) = Ψ1j (t, −k) and Ψ2×2 (t, k) = Ψ2×2 (t, −k). Thus equation
(4.5) yields Z
4i 2
g1 (t) = e−4ik t kΦ11 (t, k)R(k)dk, (5.2)
π ∂D1
where R(k) = (R1 , R2 ) = ( s12 s33 −s13 s32 , −s12 s23 +s13 s22 ). It turns out that equations (5.4) with
s11 (k̄) s11 (k̄)
g1 (t) given by (5.2), can be linearized.
Theorem 5.1 Let q(x, t) = (q1 , q2 ) satisfy the 2-NLS equation (1.1) on the half-line
0 < x < ∞, t > 0 with

q(x, 0) = q0 (x), 0 < x < ∞, q(0, t) ≡ 0, t > 0, (5.3)

where q0 (x) ∈ S(R+ ) and q0 (0) = 0. Let the contour ∂D1 ba as in Theorem 4.1, then function
g1 (t) = qx (0, t) is given by equation (5.2), where the functions Ψ1j (t, k) and Ψ2×2 (t, k) satisfy
the linear equations
Z 2 Z
i 2 2 l ie−2ik t lR(l)
Ψ1j (t, k) + e2i(k −l )t 2 Ψ 11 (t, l)R(l)dl = dl, (5.4a)
π ∂D1 l − k2 π ∂D1 l 2 − k2

Z
i 2 2 l 2
Ψ2×2 (t, k) + e2i(k −l )t 2 Ψj1 (t, l)R(l)dl = e2ik t I. (5.4b)
π ∂D1 l − k2
Proof In what follows we prove this result under the assumption that the homogeneous
version of equations (5.4) has only the trivial solution.
If k is off the contour ∂D1 , then the integrals appearing in equation (5.4a) are well-defined.
We denote the right-hand side of equation (5.4a) by F (t, k), and we denote by Jf (t, l) the
integral Z
i 2 2 l
(Jf (t, l))(t, k) = e2i(k −l )t 2 f (t, l)R(l)dl.
π ∂D1 l − k2
Differentiating equation (5.4a) with respect to t, multiplying equation (5.4a) by 2ik 2 , and
multiplying equation (5.4b) by −ig1 (t), we find the following equations
Z
2 2 2
Ψ1jt + JΨ11t (t, l) + e2i(k −l )t lΨ11 (t, l)R(l)dl = −2ik 2 F (t, k),
π ∂D1

2ik 2 Ψ1j + J(2ik 2 Ψ11 (t, l)) = 2ik 2 F (t, k),

2
−ig1 Ψ2×2 + J(−ig1 Ψj1 (t, l)) = −ie2ik t g1 I.

Adding these equations we find

Ψ1jt + 2ik 2 Ψ1j − ig1 Ψ2×2 + J(Ψ11t (t, l) + 2ik 2 Ψ11 (t, l) − ig1 Ψj1 (t, l))
 Z 
2 2 2
= −e2ik t ig1 + e−2il t lΨ11 (t, l)R(l)dl . (5.5)
π ∂D1
Using the identity
Z
2 2
−l2 )t
J(2ik 2 Ψ11 (t, l)) = J(2il2 Ψ11 (t, l)) + e2i(k lΨ11 (t, l)R(l)dl,
π ∂D1
1860 ACTA MATHEMATICA SCIENTIA Vol.38 Ser.B

as well as equation(5.2), (2.6), (2.14), equation (5.5) becomes

Ψ1jt + 2ik 2 Ψ1j − ig1 Ψ2×2 + J(Ψ11t (t, l) + 2il2 Ψ11 (t, l) − ig1 Ψj1 (t, l)) = 0. (5.6)

Following similar steps, one finds

Ψ2×2t − 2ik 2 Ψ2×2 + iḡ1T Ψ1j + J(Ψj1t (t, l) − 2il2 Ψj1 (t, l) + iḡ1T Ψ11 (t, l)) = 0. (5.7)

Hence the unique solvability of equations (5.4) implies that equation (5.1b) are valid. 

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