The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for improved generation and application of radiation force to a material. In one aspect, a system for producing an acoustic radiation force to generate displacement in a material comprises an ultrasonic transducer array, one or more processors, and memory. The memory can comprise instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to generate a push acoustic energy focused to a push focal region in the material using the ultrasonic transducer array, so as to produce the acoustic radiation force to generate displacement in the material. The push focal region can comprise a first width along a first direction transverse to a direction of propagation of the push acoustic energy greater than a second width along a second direction transverse to the direction of propagation of the push acoustic energy.