Enhancement of muonium emission rate from silica aerogel with a laser ablated surface

Emission of muonium (mu(+)e(-)) atoms from a laser-processed aerogel surface into vacuum was studied for the first time. Laser ablation was used to create hole-like regions with diameter of about 270 mu m in a triangular pattern with hole separation in the range of 300-500 mu m. The emission probability for the laser-processed aerogel sample is at least eight times higher than for a uniform one.