Our research is therefore focussed on how one could build a useful device from imperfect components,' said Stace.

'This theoretical work gives a quantitative idea of how precise quantum engineering needs to be in order to make useful devices.'

Stace said while quantum computing was still in its early days, it had the potential to revolutionize computers because of its potential to be much more powerful than current computers, especially in fields such as banking where security of transactions is paramount.

These findings were recently published in Physical Review Letters.