A device for coupling energy in a plasmon wave to an electron beam
includes a metal transmission line having a pointed end; a generator
mechanism constructed and adapted to generate a beam of charged
particles; and a detector microcircuit disposed adjacent to the generator
mechanism. The generator mechanism and the detector microcircuit are
disposed adjacent the pointed end of the metal transmission line and
wherein a beam of charged particles from the generator mechanism to the
detector microcircuit electrically couples the plasmon wave traveling
along the metal transmission line to the microcircuit.