  The vibrations of gold nanowires and nanorods are investigated numerically in
the framework of continuum elasticity using the Rayleigh-Ritz variational
method. Special attention is paid to identify the vibrations relevant in Raman
scattering experiments. A comprehensive description of the vibrations of
nanorods is proposed by determining their symmetry, comparing with standing
waves in the corresponding nanowires and estimating their Raman intensity. The
role of experimentally relevant parameters such as the anisotropic cubic
lattice structure, the presence of faceted lateral surfaces and the shape of
the ends of the nanorods is evaluated. Elastic anisotropy is shown to play a
significant role contrarily to the presence of facets. Localized vibrations are
found for nanorods with flat ends. Their evolution as the shape of the ends is
changed to half-spheres is discussed.
