In a magnetic resonance data acquisition method, magnetic resonance is
excited (72, 74) in an observed nuclear species. Magnetic resonance data
of the observed nuclear species are acquired (76). A plurality of
different broadband decoupling radio frequency pulses (80) configured to
decouple a coupled nuclear species from the observed nuclear species are
applied. Each broadband decoupling radio frequency pulse has a different
or randomized or pseudorandomized amplitude (110) as a function of time.
Each broadband decoupling radio frequency pulse has about the same peak
power, pulse duration, and frequency spread. The differences between the
broadband decoupling radio frequency pulses are effective to
substantially suppress cycling sidebands.