Yes you are quite right.
I'm basically experimenting with audio transmission over light (VLC) using LEDs. I'm trying out different modulation and demodulation circuits for performance comparisons, noise, distortion etc....
For example:-
1 Non-coherent detection (The AM detector circuit you have above)
2 Coherent detection
Google has been a good source of basic circuit designs and tutorials, so I can successfully transmit and receive audio using an LED.
With regards to a IC solution. I know due to basic physics, larger inductors/coils, capacitors are not possible on an IC, so a single chip is probably not possible. My curiosity is, are there any IC solutions out there. My conclusion so far there are a number of ICs out there, but essentially they won't reduce the component count.
So essentially I'm studying, and experimenting with different designs, hence my curiosity in possible IC solutions.