Detection Prospects of the Cosmic Neutrino Background

The existence of the cosmic neutrino background (C nu B) is a fundamental prediction of the standard Big Bang cosmology. Although current cosmological probes provide indirect observational evidence, the direct detection of the C nu B in a laboratory experiment is a great challenge to the present experimental techniques. We discuss the future prospects for the direct detection of the C nu B, with the emphasis on the method of captures on beta-decaying nuclei and the PTOLEMY project. Other possibilities using the electron-capture (EC) decaying nuclei, the annihilation of extremely high-energy cosmic neutrinos (EHEC nu s) at the Z-resonance, and the atomic de-excitation method are also discussed in this review.