An irradiation method, in particular for imaging a region of investigation (2) of an object (1), comprises generating at least one energy input beam (3) with at least one energy input beam source (210), wherein the at least one energy input beam (3) comprises a plurality of individual energy input beam components (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, . . . ), and irradiating the region of investigation (2) with the at least one energy input beam (3) along a plurality of projection directions, wherein the energy input beam components (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, . . . ) are formed with at least one beam mask (211) made of an energy input shielding material with through holes. Furthermore, imaging methods and devices for irradiating or imaging the object are described.