I How do I stretch a laser from a beam into a sheet?

[Gleb1964]

There are standard optical components used for generating lines from laser beams, known as Powell lenses. These lenses are manufactured with various divergence angles.

A typical laser beam has a Gaussian intensity profile. The principle behind a Powell lens is that it splits the laser beam into two parts and recombines them in such a way that the Gaussian profiles cancel each other, resulting in a uniformly distributed line. Powell lens assemblies allow the laser line to be focused at a desired distance, ensuring a sharp line with even intensity along its length.

 

[DaveE]

you need a concave lens to spread the beam

Either will spread the beam in the far field.

 

[sophiecentaur]

Either will spread the beam in the far field.

How far, though? You would want it to be compact, I assume. OP didn’t say the focal length. I didn’t understand it ‘not working at all’.

Maybe the fan out dispersed the energy too much.

 

[DaveE]

Maybe the fan out dispersed the energy too much.

That's my guess too. It's too simple not to work at all.
Scanning has an advantage in brightness over divergent optics.

PS: Google says laser levels don't scan though.