We investigate the tunneling current between a one-dimensional (1D) wave gu
ide and a metallic electrode. To be specific, we consider as an electrode a
two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) coupled to the 1D system over a finite
length L by a thin tunnel barrier. Treating the 1D electrons within the Lu
ttinger liquid model, we evaluate the tunneling current which flows through
the barrier. Tunneling is assumed to be local (rather than bring described
by a constant matrix element in reciprocal space) and the spatial extent o
f the contact is taken into account. A characteristic maximum of the curren
t for optimal barrier lengths is found. We calculate the finite-temperature
spectral density of the 1D correlated electrons, which is needed to evalua
te the current in the peak region.