Abstract: An apparatus and method for rotating an optical element, such as a diffraction grating or mirror, utilizes a moving coil actuator and an optical encoder to provide precise element position control. The moving coil actuator, which is coupled to the optical element, is comprised of a coil immersed in a magnetic field created by a pair of magnets. Current flowing in the coil windings causes the coil, and ultimately the optical element, to rotate. An optical encoder monitors the rotation of the element and provides rotation signals representative of the instantaneous element position to an actuator control circuit. The actuator control circuit phase shifts the rotation signals and compares the phase shifted rotation signals to a desired reference signal to generate position and velocity error signals. In a track follow mode, the position error signal is applied to the moving coil actuator via a loop compensator.