We propose a modified definition of the jet charge, the "dynamic jet charge", where the constant jet momentum fraction weighting parameter, $κ$, in the standard jet charge definition is generalized to be a function of a dynamical property of the jet or the individual jet constituents. The dynamic jet charge can complement analyses based on the standard definition and give improved discrimination between quark and gluon initiated jets and between jets initiated by different quark flavors. We focus on the specific scenario where each hadron in the jet contributes to the dynamic jet charge with a $κ$-value dynamically determined by its jet momentum fraction. The corresponding dynamic jet charge distributions have qualitatively distinct features and are typically characterized by a multiple peak structure. For proton-proton collisions, compared to the standard jet charge, the dynamic jet charge gives significantly improved discrimination between quark and gluon initiated jets and comparable discrimination between $u$- and $d$-quark initiated jets. In Pythia simulations of heavy ion collisions, the dynamic jet charge is found to have higher jet discrimination power compared to the standard jet charge, remaining robust against the increased contamination from underlying event. We also present phenomenological applications of the dynamic jet charge to probe nuclear flavor structure.

22 pages, 28 figures. Extended discussion and figures added towards the end of section V. New section (VII) added with likelihood ratio analysis of jet charge discrimination. Version to appear in Physical Review D