A new self-consistent time-domain model for the simulation of gyrotron traveling-wave tubes with a helically corrugated interaction space (helical gyro-TWTs) is presented. The new model links classical methods using the approach of slowly varying variables together with an expansion of the electromagnetic field in eigenmodes and advanced full-wave particle-in-cell (PIC) solvers. The aim is to significantly reduce the required calculation time compared to full-wave PIC solvers, while less strict assumptions are introduced as in the classical approaches of slowly varying variables. For the first time, the classical theory of coupled circular waveguide modes for the description of the operating electromagnetic eigenmode in the helical interaction space is combined with a 3-D PIC representation of the electron beam. This allows the simulation of the beam–wave interaction over a broad bandwidth and at arbitrary harmonics of the cyclotron frequency. In addition, arbitrary electron beams (with spreads, offsets of the guiding center from the symmetry axis, and so on) can be investigated. The new approach is compared with the full-wave 3-D PIC code CST Microwave Studio. A good agreement of the simulation results is achieved, while the computing time is significantly reduced
