An optical apparatus for, during operation, writing and/or reading recording tracks in a recording surface of a record carrier (3) by means of a radiation beam (2) which is produced by a radiation source and, more specifically, for scanning video and/or audio recording tracks in a reflecting recording surface of a rotary video or audio disc by means of a light beam, which apparatus comprises:
- a frame (5),
- an objective (6) for concentrating the radiation beam (2) to a radiation spot (7) in a focussing plane, which objective has an upper end (8), which during operation faces the recording surface of a record carrier (3), and a lower end (9), which is remote from the recording surface, and comprises a lens system (10) with an optical axis (11),
- a combined bearing arrangement for the objective, which arrangement is a combination of, firstly, a focussing bearing arrangement which is adapted to realize focussing movements (12) of the objective between a rest position and an operating position and relative to the frame in a direction which at least substantially coincides with the optical axis so as to enable any deviations from an average position of the recording surface of the record carrier in a direction perpendicular to the recording surface to be followed with the focussing plane, and, secondly, a pivotal bearing arrangement which is adapted to realize pivotal movements of the objective relative to the frame in pivoting directions (13, 14) about an axis (15, 16) substantially perpendicular to the optical axis (11) of the lens system (10), so as to enable any deviations from an average position of the recording track in directions situated in the recording surface to be followed with the radiation spot (7);
- electrically controllable focussing means (32-46) for electrically realizing and controlling the focussing movements (12) of the objective (6);
- as well as electrically controllable pivoting means (32-46) for electrically realizing and controlling the pivotal movements of the objective, characterized in that the combined bearing arrangement for the objective comprises a plain bearing arrangement, comprising a stationary bearing member (17), which is substantially coaxial with the optical axis (11) of the objective (6), is connected to the frame (5) and has an at least partly convex outer surface (18), as well as a movable bearing member (19), which is connected to the objective and has a cylindrical inner surface (20) which with a certain amount of bearing clearance cooperates with the convex outer surface (18) of the stationary bearing member (17) in a sliding and pivotal fashion.