This conical beam is then reflected into a cluster of 1m or so rubidium atoms, which are held trapped in a magnetic field within a vacuum chamber.

ECONOMIST: Quantum computers

The atoms in question were stripped of their outer electrons and trapped in an electric field, in a vacuum, at extremely low temperatures.

ECONOMIST: The 2012 Nobel prizes

Mass spectrometry works by evaporating molecules, giving them an electric charge, and then applying an electric field to them and accelerating them through a vacuum chamber to a detector.

ECONOMIST: This year, the Nobel authorities have shown a deft touch

"We believe there is some type of leadership vacuum among the current candidates, and we feel that we now have a historic responsibility to field the candidate who we believe will provide this kind of responsible leadership and who will safeguard the democratic process, " she said.

CNN: Brotherhood steers tricky currents of post-Mubarak Egypt