Electronic-photonic integrated circuits (EPICs), such a monolithically integrated circuit, are considered to be next generation technology that takes advantage of high-speed optical communication and nanoscale electronics. Atomically thin transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) may serve as a perfect platform to realize EPIC. The generation and detection of light by a monolayer TMD at nanoscale through surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) may be utilized to provide optical communication. The bidirectional nature of the TMDs allow such a layer to be utilizes as part of emitters or photodetectors for EPICs.