The present invention provides a method for automatically activating an optical light valve. The method includes providing a photorefractive cell having a birefringent medium which is doped with nanoparticles and transmitting light through the photorefractive cell to create an electric field in the photorefractive cell such that the alignment state of the birefringent medium and nanoparticles is changed to thereby reduce the intensity of the light being transmitted therethrough, wherein the intensity of light is reduces without an external power source.