An illumination device for the simulation of neon lighting comprises a leaky
waveguide
rod having a light-emitting lateral surface and a first set of one or more point
light sources positioned adjacent one or both ends of the waveguide rod, the attenuation
of light along the length of the waveguide rod being controlled such that light
emitted from the lateral surface of the waveguide rod has essentially the same
intensity over the length of the waveguide rod.
