  We show how one can use the anisotropic properties of a coherent medium to
separate temporally the two polarization components of a linearly polarized
pulse. This is achieved by applying a control field such that one component of
the pulse becomes ultraslow while the other component's group velocity is
almost unaffected by the medium. We present analytical and numerical results to
support the functioning of such a coherent medium as a polarization splitter of
pulses.
