  We investigate an optical quantum memory scheme with V-type three-level atoms
based on the controlled reversible inhomogeneous broadening (CRIB) technique.
We theoretically show the possibility to store and retrieve a weak light pulse
interacting with the two optical transitions of the system. This scheme
implements a quantum memory for a polarization qubit - a single photon in an
arbitrary polarization state - without the need of two spatially separated
two-level media, thus offering the advantage of experimental compactness
overcoming the limitations due to mismatching and unequal efficiencies that can
arise in spatially separated memories. The effects of a relative phase change
between the atomic levels, as well as of phase noise due to, for example, the
presence of spurious electric and magnetic fields are analyzed.
