Thick superconductor films with improved performance

An oxide 123 superconductor prepared by a process comprising the steps of:

• adjusting the ratio of a transition metal to an alkaline earth metal in a precursor solution, wherein the ratio of the transition metal to the alkaline earth metal is greater than 1.5, wherein the transition metal and the alkaline earth metal in the precursor solution is a salt of the transition metal and a salt of the alkaline earth metal in one or more solvents, wherein at least one of the salts is a fluoride-containing salt;
• depositing a single layer of the precursor solution onto a substrate to form a precursor film;
• and
• decomposing the precursor film to achieve a ratio of the transition metal to the alkaline earth metal of about 1.5 proximate to the precursor film and substrate interface,
• wherein the overall ratio of the transition metal to the alkaline earth metal in the oxide 123 superconductor is greater than 1.5, and wherein the overall thickness of the oxide 123 superconductor is greater than 0.8 μm.