An acoustic levitation system contains an acoustic transducer array emitting acoustic energy of periodically varying intensity. The acoustic transducer array includes a set of transducer elements arranged on a surface extending in at least two dimensions. The transducer elements are controllable in response to a control signal so as to emit the acoustic energy at a wavelength and a phase delay determined by the control signal. A controller generates the control signal such that an acoustic channel comprising one or more high-pressure region enclosing a continuous pressure minimum region that extends along a defined channel path from a start position to an end position. The continuous pressure minimum region enclosed by the one or more high-pressure region represents a trap volume suitable for carrying, levitating and translating matter in a contactless manner.

An actuator comprises an output stage configured to alternately couple an output node to a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage, and to isolate the output node when an inhibit signal is asserted. A piezoelectric element has two terminals coupled by a parasitic capacitance C.sub.P, with one terminal coupled to the output node. A switched inductance path between the two terminals includes an inductor in series with a switch. A control circuit is configured to close the switch as needed to substantially invert a charge on the parasitic capacitance before the output stage couples the first or second supply voltage to the output node. The second terminal may be coupled to ground, with the supply voltages having equal magnitude but opposite polarity.