Abstract: A plasma addressing structure having data storage elements (16) uses an ionizable gas to store data in and read data out of the storage elements. The storage elements are defined by the overlapping areas of multiple column electrodes (18) extending in a common direction on a first substrate (22) and multiple channels (20) extending in a common direction on a second substrate (24). A layer of pliant dielectric material (26) separates the first and the second substrates, which are positioned face to face and spaced apart with the direction of the channels transverse to that of the column electrodes. Each of the channels is filled with an ionizable gas and includes two electrodes (46 and 48) electrically isolated from each other. The ionizable gas functions as an electrical switch. The storage element includes a layer (32) of liquid crystal material and receives incident image-carrying light.