"Signal" is used this way throughout physics. For example, CERN has an explainer on the search for the Higgs boson that says,
> When physicists search for a signal of the Higgs boson, they select particle collisions with observed characteristics similar to those a Higgs production would feature.
The "signal" comes from the process being studied, and the rest (at least whatever parts can be modeled stochastically) is "noise." One person's signal is another person's noise, depending on what each person is studying.
> When physicists search for a signal of the Higgs boson, they select particle collisions with observed characteristics similar to those a Higgs production would feature.
The "signal" comes from the process being studied, and the rest (at least whatever parts can be modeled stochastically) is "noise." One person's signal is another person's noise, depending on what each person is studying.
1. https://cms.cern/physics/higgs-boson-terms-and-definitions