The Hamiltonian of one-dimensional chain of n-level atoms is represented in
terms of boson operators by using the Dyson-Maleev transformation and it i
s shown that the finite-ladder effect disappears when n tends toward infini
ty. In this way, it is found that the Heisenberg equation of motion of this
system is exactly described in the coherent state representation by the da
rk discrete nonlinear Schrodinger (DNLS) equation. It is also briefly shown
that the DNLS equation has some general soliton solutions. This indicates
that this simple system has richness of nonlinear waves.