Laser-Ionosphere Interaction: A Possibility?

[nuncoop]

Is it possible to attract stray ions by aiming a laser upwards into the ionosphere?

 

[Loren Booda]

A laser can heat an object, transfer momentum to an object, interfere with similar sources and disseminate information, but not provide the charge needed to attract ions. Lasers are shone upwards to help reduce of atmospheric diffraction for ground-based telescopes, to measure the distance to the moon, enable earth-based gravitational interferometry, and communicate with satellites.

 

[nuncoop]

Is it possible to somehow tap into the electrical potential present within the ionosphere?

 

[Loren Booda]

Can someone knowledgeable explain whether the work of Tesla applies here?