Heard an anecdote about LIGO, when they were experimenting with quarz pendulum without a string(s). They statically charged the pendulum and its base, so the pendulum was repulsed from the base, eliminating even slightest possible friction while oscillating. A journalist from science magazine was visiting and decided to take an impressive picture of vacuum-floating piece of quartz. No one had a chance to say a word when journalist popped a flashlight from their camera and pressed the shutter. Flashlight removed the static charge and the pendulum fell to the base.