A method of controlling the amplitude-phase characteristics of an atomic wave involves allowing a beam of atoms to pass through a region of spatially non-homogeneous electromagnetic radiation produced by the superposition of an electromagnetic wave from any object and a planar reference electromagnetic wave. The atom beam is directed along or against the reference electromagnetic wave and, once an atomic wave has been obtained which imitates the electromagnetic wave from the object, an image of the object is recreated in the atom beams, compensation for the gravity acting on the atoms being applied in the region of distribution of the atoms.