a method for detecting and / or processing signal waves that produce charge carriers in an article sensitive to the signal waves . at least two modulation electrodes are provided , at least one of which is disposed in proximity to a readout - electrode in such a manner that , depending on the polarity sign of the modulation voltage of the modulation electrode , the current flowing across the readout electrode is positive or negative . the invention further relates to a device for detecting and processing signal waves . the invention provides a method and a device that is capable of interlinking various optical and / or electronic signals in a logically digital or analogous manner or to detect the course of optical signals by scanning .