A low radio frequency power polarization inversion spin exchange at the magic angle (PISEMA) pulse sequence is described for the measurement of heteronuclear dipolar couplings from solids. The method employs a time averaged nutation concept to significantly reduce the rf power required to spin-lock low gamma nuclear spins in PISEMA experiments. The efficacy of the 2D method is demonstrated on a single crystal of n-acetyl-L-N-15-valyl-L-N-15-leucine dipeptide to measure H-1-N-15 dipolar couplings and a liquid crystal sample to measure H-1-C-13 dipolar couplings. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.