Theory of nonlinear ELMs as reconnection bursts

New results on the rise and nonlinear relaxation of Peeling-Ballooning ELMs (Edge-Localized Modes) will be presented. The formation of current sheets and the transition to 3-D current-sheet instability is demonstrated through fully nonlinear resistive MHD simulations of P-B ELMs in DIII-D discharges. Large-scale axisymmetric current sheets, as well as small-scale poloidally extending current sheets, are formed as the coherent P-B ELM filaments nonlinearly evolve. A model for the magnetic self-organization during nonlinear ELMs is presented (arXiv:2110.09706). Work supported by DOE.