# Phase 172 Target

## Chosen Positive Target

- **Fresh topic slug:** `hs-like-finite-size-chaos-window-core`
- **Fresh topic mode:** `toy_model`
- **Reference source topic:** `haldane-shastry-chaos-transition`
- **Reference candidate id:** `candidate:hs-chaos-window-finite-size-core`
- **Reference candidate type:** `claim_card`
- **Intended later L2 target:** `claim_card:hs-like-chaos-window-finite-size-core`

## Honest Scope

The chosen positive target is **not** “the exact HS model is chaotic”.

The bounded positive target is:

- the benchmark-backed HS-like finite-size chaos-window **core**
- restricted to the robust window `0.4 <= alpha <= 1.0`
- supported by benchmark-calibrated finite-size ED evidence

## Explicit Exclusions

- the weaker `1.2 <= alpha <= 1.4` shoulder
- thermodynamic or larger-system closure
- operator robustness claims
- reinterpreting exact HS `alpha = 2` as a positive chaos result

## Negative Comparator To Preserve

- **Comparator entry id:** `staging:hs-model-otoc-lyapunov-exponent-regime-mismatch`
- **Meaning:** exact HS `alpha = 2` remains an explicit negative OTOC
  comparator, not part of the positive target
