Luminescent materials and the use of such materials in anti-counterfeiting, inventory, photovoltaic, and other applications are described herein. In one embodiment, a method of forming a luminescent material includes: (1) providing a source of A and X, wherein A is selected from at least one of elements of Group 1, and X is selected from at least one of elements of Group 17; (2) providing a source of B, wherein B is selected from at least one of elements of Group 14; (3) subjecting the source of A and X and the source of B to vacuum deposition to form a set of films adjacent to a substrate; and (4) heating the set of films to a temperature in the range of 120° C. to 350° C. to form a luminescent material adjacent to the substrate, wherein the luminescent material includes A, B, and X.