We demonstrate the advantages of randomization in coherent quantum dynamical
control. For systems which are either time-varying or require decoupling cycles
involving a large number of operations, we find that simple randomized
protocols offer superior convergence and stability as compared to deterministic
counterparts. In addition, we show how randomization always allows to
outperform purely deterministic schemes at long times, including combinatorial
and concatenated methods. General criteria for optimally interpolating between
deterministic and stochastic design are proposed and illustrated in explicit
decoupling scenarios relevant to quantum information storage.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, replaced with final versio