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The invention relates to a device for detecting optical signals or for generating optical signals by the modulation of optical carriers. Said device comprises the following: elements for generating at least one reference light beam, whose frequency or phase has been shifted and/or modulated or whose timing has been shifted, in relation to the optical signal which is to be detected; elements which allow the optical signal which is to be detected and/or the reference light beam(s) to be aligned in such a way, that they can be used for interference; at least one detector with a demodulator which can detect an amplitude modulation.