A plasma addressed liquid crystal device comprises a first substrate 5 which provides a plasma addressing arrangement 3, 4, 6, 7, 11. This arrangement is provided with an alignment layer 12. A second substrate 2 likewise carries an alignment layer 15. Other elements such as electrodes 9 and polarisers or mirrors 19, 20 are provided to form a working device which is suitable for use as a display. The alignment layers 12, 15 cooperate with a liquid crystal layer 1 to form a surface mode liquid crystal device, for instance of the pi-cell or splayed nematic birefringent type.