Salmon Trout, what we have today in out computers is a result of wjat at pme to,e was called "new ideas in quantum mechanics."
Sorry if it annoys you.
True, out current PCs are not called 'quantum computers'. Yet the advances is silicon technology requires use of new understating of how stuff works ate the atomic level. Research matters. Especially in computer technology.
Here is a nice bit from the BBC last year.
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20130218-diamond-idea-for-quantum-computerThe Washington Post thought it was an important topic this year. And computer related. Even Google is getting into it. They take is serious.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/2014/06/19/34999e92-f7dd-11e3-a3a5-42be35962a52_story.htmlThey have a nice video. The video is critical of the claims made for the one commercial machine called a 'quantum computers'.
So yes, at the present time is is mostly theory and not much real proof.
What I wish t o tell renders is that the quantum theory is not all about the future. It already is part of computer history.
http://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/11567/is-quantum-physics-used-in-manufacturing-cpusQ Is Quantum Physics used in manufacturing CPUs?
A Well, they are not using it, but taking into account.
Tunneling is one of the most important:
1) As gate oxide thickness is just 1-2nm, electrons can tunnel through it -> power consumption increases (or transistor might turn itself on if gate is not connected at the moment). So if you replace usual SiO2 with high-K dielectric (like HfO2) you would be able to increase gate oxide thickness (=dramatically reduce tunneling) but electromagnetic field will remain the same (i.e. transistor would work exactly as with thin oxide)
2) Flash memory directly rely on quantum tunneling effect - electrons into strong electromagnetic field tunnel right into middle of dielectric, and form 'trapped' charge, which may stay there for years.
Thus your new CPU is better because of what silicon engineers know about Quantum Physics
