2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/123365We analyze a quantum optical memory based on the off-resonant Raman interaction of a single broadband photon, copropagating with a classical control pulse, with an atomic ensemble. The conditions under which the memory can perform optimally are found, by means of a `universal' mode decomposition. This enables the memory efficiency to be specified in terms of a single parameter, and the control field pulse shape to be determined via a simple nonlinear scaling. We apply the same decomposition to determine the optimal configurations for read-out.5 pages, 4 figures, published in PRA Rapid CommunicationsQuantum Physicstext