In a semiconductor element having a semiconductor body, an electrode structure is arranged on at least one major surface of the element for storing charge carriers of at least one conductivity in cells formed by the electrode structure. Control electrodes which are at least partially enclosed in the semiconductor body are arranged in at least one plane essentially parallel to the major surface of the semiconductor body. The control electrodes similarly enable charge carriers to be stored in defined cells. The control electrodes stored also make it possible to shift stored charges from one cell to another, whereby at least two independent charge images can be stored in a three-dimensionally arranged storage cell pattern.