  We examine in detail an alternative method of retrieving the information
written into an atomic ensemble of three-level atoms using electromagnetically
induced transparency. We find that the behavior of the retrieved pulse is
strongly influenced by the relative collective atom-light coupling strengths of
the two relevant transitions. When the collective atom-light coupling strength
for the retrieval beam is the stronger of the two transitions, regeneration of
the stored pulse is possible. Otherwise, we show the retrieval process can lead
to creation of soliton-like pulses.
