Channel arrangement for plasma addressing structure

An electro-optical display system having plural display elements, comprising:

• first and second substrate structures with respective first and second inner major surfaces held in face-to-face relation;
• an array of plural spaced-apart islands projecting outwardly from the first inner major surface of the first substrate structure toward the second substrate structure and delimiting int he first substrate structure plural intersecting first and second channels that extend longitudinally in respective first and second transverse directions along the first inner major surface, each of the islands being aligned with a display element and including an outer surface in face-to-face relation with the second inner major surface and an electrical conductor on the outer surface distinct form the electrical conductors on the outer surfaces of other islands;
• plural optically transparent, electrically conductive electrodes positioned on the second inner major surface and extending generally along the second direction to overlap selected ones of the islands and carry display signals to the display elements;
• an ionizable gaseous medium captured within the first and second channels between the first and second substrate structures and in communication with the electrical conductors on the outer surfaces of the islands;
• an ionizing structure that includes an elongated electrode positioned in each of the first channels and extending longitudinally in the first direction to selectively ionize the gaseous medium to form an electrical coupling to the electrical conductors on the outer surfaces of the islands which coupling effects addressing of selected ones of the display elements;
• and
• a layer of material having electro-optical properties positioned between the first and second substrates and being responsive to the display signals delivered to the selected ones of the display elements addressed by the ionizing structure.