A method in accordance with particular embodiments includes receiving an electrical control signal. The method further includes adjusting a reflectance of a light modulating stack comprising a plurality of layers by changing the relative location of a plurality of electrophoretic particles with respect to the remainder of the light modulating stack. The method additionally includes receiving light waves from a light source. The method also includes converting the electrical control signal into a modulated optical signal that selectively switches between reflecting or absorbing at least a portion of the light waves.