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 (time interval measurements).