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The burgeoning fields of quantum computing and quantum key distribution have created a demand for a quantum memory. The gradient echo memory scheme is a quantum memory candidate for light storage that can boast efficiencies approaching unity, as well as the flexibility to work with either two- or three-level atoms. The key to this scheme is the frequency gradient that is placed across the memory. Currently, the three-level implementation uses a Zeeman gradient and warm atoms. In this article we model an alternate gradient-creation mechanism—the ac Stark effect—to provide an improvement in the flexibility of gradient-creation and field-switching times. We propose this scheme in concert with a move to cold atoms ( mK). These temperatures would increase the storage times possible, and the small ensemble volumes would enable large ac Stark shifts with reasonable laser power. We find that memory …