What optic will beamspread a laser?

[wasBlinded]

I would like to have a slip on optic of some sort that will turn the collimated pencil beam of a laser pointer into something like a 5 degree fan, so that instead of projecting a point onto a perpendicular wall it would project a line.

Anyone know how to accomplish this easily? Lasers with this property are sold as the Rescue Laser Light by Greatland in Alaska.

 

[nanoWatt]

You might want to try a 1/2 cylindrical lens. I've heard they can do that but never tried.

 

[The_LED_Museum]

You can also use a full cylindrical lens.
Some number of years back, I had excellent results using a short segment of a glass laboratory stirring rod.

 

[wasBlinded]

That sounds like a good idea to me, Craig. Thanks for your input Nanowatt. If I can get a stirring rod I'll give it a shot.

 

[AndrewAZ]

Nova lasers sells a beam kit that has various types of optics.