All of the detectors used with Digital cameras are monochrome in nature, and Silicon based. All of the commercially available detectors use color dye in front of the photo-sensitive elements to produce color. Most do it with a mosaic filter, most using a 2x2 Bayer pattern. Foveon layers three monochrome planes with different color filters in front of each, more like film.
The alternative would be to fabricate detectors using different material, each with a different spectral response and use a series of beamsplitters for each. No one is doing that. Fabricating a single detector with individual photosensitive sites using different material on the same chip to eliminate the need for a mosaic filter- anybody know how to make one?
The Leica M9M uses a monochrome detector. It's easy to do, and Kodak has been offering detectors like this for decades. That is the truth, been there, done that with Monochrome cameras and with "color" (multi-spectral) cameras using beam-splitters and detectors with different spectral response.
The Kodak Sensor Group has offered monochrome sensors for decades.
http://www.kodak.com/ek/uploadedFil.../Datasheets(pdfs)/KAF-16803ProductSummary.pdf
http://www.kodak.com/ek/uploadedFil...s/Datasheets(pdfs)/KAF-6303ProductSummary.pdf
http://www.kodak.com/ek/uploadedFil...s/Datasheets(pdfs)/KAF-1603ProductSummary.pdf
No need to change the drive electronics when these devices were used in the color and monochrome version of the same camera. I have both.