Abstract: A scanning apparatus is provided, which includes a fixed, hollow cylindrical segment having a central, longitudinal axis, the interior of which forms a concave surface for intimate contact with a medium for recording and/or readout, a support structure forming a transport for translational movement along the axis, a light source mounted on the transport for movement therewith and for providing a beam capable of being directed along the axis, and a slanted mirror, angled 45 degrees with respect to the axis and mounted on the transport for translational movement therewith and for rotational spinning around the axis. The beam from the light source is reflected 90 degrees from along the axis along a radial to the medium and the rotation and translation cause the beam to scan the medium such that the rotating light beam is at all times perpendicular to the medium at the point of contact of the beam with the medium.