A scanning acoustic microscope , comprising: first and second balanced linear motor assemblies including first and second rotors , respectively, and a stator , wherein application of current to the first and second rotors causes the first and second rotors to move along respective first and second linear paths defined by the stator , respectively; first and second ultrasonic transducers that are operatively coupled to the first and second rotors , respectively, and that are designed to emit pulses of acoustic energy through a coupling medium ; and a controller that is designed to (a) cause control currents to be applied to the first and second rotors , to thereby cause the first and second rotors and the first and second ultrasonic transducers to move along the first and second linear paths, respectively, and (b) cause the first and second ultrasonic transducers to emit pulses of ultrasonic energy to at least partially interrogate first and second samples ; wherein the first linear path is co-linear with the second linear path and a mass of the first ultrasonic transducer and the first rotor is generally equal to a mass of the second ultrasonic transducer and the second rotor ; and wherein the scanning acoustic microscope is designed so that, whenever the controller causes the first rotor and first ultrasonic transducer to move in a given direction along the first linear path, the controller causes the second ultrasonic transducer and the second rotor to be moved in the opposite direction along the second linear path. first and second balanced linear motor assemblies including first and second rotors , respectively, and a stator , wherein application of current to the first and second rotors causes the first and second rotors to move along respective first and second linear paths defined by the stator , respectively; first and second ultrasonic transducers that are operatively coupled to the first and second rotors , respectively, and that are designed to emit pulses of acoustic energy through a coupling medium ; and a controller that is designed to (a) cause control currents to be applied to the first and second rotors , to thereby cause the first and second rotors and the first and second ultrasonic transducers to move along the first and second linear paths, respectively, and (b) cause the first and second ultrasonic transducers to emit pulses of ultrasonic energy to at least partially interrogate first and second samples ; (a) cause control currents to be applied to the first and second rotors , to thereby cause the first and second rotors and the first and second ultrasonic transducers to move along the first and second linear paths, respectively, and (b) cause the first and second ultrasonic transducers to emit pulses of ultrasonic energy to at least partially interrogate first and second samples ; wherein the first linear path is co-linear with the second linear path and a mass of the first ultrasonic transducer and the first rotor is generally equal to a mass of the second ultrasonic transducer and the second rotor ; and wherein the scanning acoustic microscope is designed so that, whenever the controller causes the first rotor and first ultrasonic transducer to move in a given direction along the first linear path, the controller causes the second ultrasonic transducer and the second rotor to be moved in the opposite direction along the second linear path. <EOS>