  We computationally investigate the wave propagation characteristics of
nanoscopic granular crystals composed of one-dimensionally arrayed gold
nanoparticles using molecular dynamics simulation. We examine two basic
configurations, i.e. homogeneous lattices and diatomic lattices with
mass-mismatch. We discover that homogeneous lattices of gold nanospheres
support weakly dissipative and highly localized solitary wave at 300 K, while
diatomic lattices have a good tuning ability of transmittance and wave speed.
We establish a validated nonlinear spring contact model with the consideration
of complex interactions between gold nanospheres which reveals the physical
nature of wave behaviors at nanoscale. This work sheds light on the application
of nanogold as a novel mechanical wave tuner, qualitatively and fundamentally
different from its counterpart granular materials at meso- and macroscale.
