The presence of nano-scale lamellae of the
![greek small letter alpha greek small letter alpha](http://www.sciencedirect.com/scidirimg/entities/204e.gif)
-PbO
2-type polymorph of TiO
2 sandwiched between twinned rutile inclusions in jadeite has been confirmed by electron diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, backed up by image simulation techniques, from ultrahigh-pressure jadeite quartzite at Shuanghe in the
Dabie Mountains, China. The crystal structure is orthorhombic with lattice parameters
a = 4.58 Å,
b = 5.42 Å,
c = 5.02 Å and space group
Pbcn. A three-dimensional structural model has been constructed for the rutile to
![greek small letter alpha greek small letter alpha](http://www.sciencedirect.com/scidirimg/entities/204e.gif)
-PbO
2-type TiO
2 phase transformation based on high-resolution electron microscopic images. Computer image simulation and structural model analysis reveal that rutile {0 1 1}
R twin interface is a basic structural unit of
![greek small letter alpha greek small letter alpha](http://www.sciencedirect.com/scidirimg/entities/204e.gif)
-PbO
2-type TiO
2. Nucleation of
![greek small letter alpha greek small letter alpha](http://www.sciencedirect.com/scidirimg/entities/204e.gif)
-PbO
2-type TiO
2 lamellae 1–2 nm thick is caused by the displacement of one half of the titanium cations within the {0 1 1}
R twin slab. This displacement reduces the Ti–O–Ti distance and is favored by high pressure.