A method for applying a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sequence is described herein. The method includes applying a series of refocusing pulses to a substance within an inhomogeneous static magnetic field. Each refocusing pulse in the series of refocusing pulses includes a central axis, a total pulse duration greater than t180, and at least five segments (e.g., 5, 7, 11, 20, and 21). The phase of each segment is substantially anti-symmetric about the central axis of the refocusing pulse. In a more particular embodiment, the phase of each segment is also symmetric about the central axis of the refocusing pulse and the five segments include a substantially constant amplitude.