Simplified Range-Separation Tuning as a Practical Starting Point for G0W0 and Bethe-Salpeter Calculations

Abstract: The accuracy of one-shot $G_0W_0$ and the Bethe-Salpeter equation (BSE) is well known to be highly sensitive to the choice of the starting-point eigensystem, typically obtained from mean-field theory. A highly effective method explored is the use of density functional approximation (DFA) with a range-separated hybrid (RSH) approach. In this work, we evaluate the performance of $G_0W_0$ in predicting ionization potentials and the BSE for describing neutral excitations, employing a recently proposed, broadly applicable, and computationally efficient range-separation tuning scheme [Singh \textit{et. al.}, Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 16, 32, 8198-8208, (2025)]. Our results demonstrate that this simplified tuning protocol provides an accurate starting point for many-body perturbation theory, thereby eliminating the need for conventional, multi-step optimally tuned RSH optimization procedure. The resulting quasiparticle energies from $G_0W_0$ closely reproduce reference ionization potentials, while BSE calculations based on the same tuned RSH orbitals yield quantitatively accurate optical absorption spectra and excitonic properties across a range of molecular systems and clusters.