Context. The origin of protostellar jets as well as their impact on the regulation of angular momentum and the inner disk physics are still crucial open questions in star formation. Aims. We aim to test the different proposed ejection processes in T Tauri stars through high-angular resolution observations of forbidden-line emission from the inner DG Tauri microjet. Methods. We present spectro-imaging observations of the DG Tauri jet obtained with SINFONI/VLT in the lines of [Fe ii]λ1.64 μm, 1.53 μm with 0. 15 angular resolution and R = 3000 spectral resolution. We analyze the morphology and kinematics, derive electronic densities and mass-flux rates and discuss the implications for proposed jet launching models. Results. (1) We observe an onion-like velocity structure in [Fe ii] in the blueshifted jet, similar to that observed in optical lines. Highvelocity (HV) gas at -200 km s −1 is collimated inside a half-opening angle of 4 • and medium-velocity (MV) gas at -100 km s −1 in a cone with an half-opening angle 14.• (2) Two new axial jet knots are detected in the blue jet, as well as a more distant bubble with corresponding counter-bubble. The periodic knot ejection timescale is revised downward to 2.5 yrs. (3) The redshifted jet is detected only beyond 0. 7 from the star, yielding revised constraints on the disk surface density. (4) From comparison to [O i] data we infer iron depletion of a factor 3 at high velocities and a factor 10 at speeds below -100 km s −1 . (5) The mass-fluxes in each of the medium and high-velocity components of the blueshifted lobe are 1.6 ± 0.8 × 10 −8 M yr −1 , representing 0.02−0.2 of the disk accretion rate. Conclusions. The medium-velocity conical [Fe ii] flow in the DG Tau jet is too fast and too narrow to trace photo-evaporated matter from the disk atmosphere. Both its kinematics and collimation cannot be reproduced by the X-wind, nor can the "conical magnetospheric wind". The level of Fe gas phase depletion in the DG Tau medium-velocity component also rules out a stellar wind and a cocoon ejected sideways from the high-velocity beam. A quasi-steady centrifugal MHD disk wind ejected over 0.25−1.5 AU and/or episodic magnetic tower cavities launched from the disk appear as the most plausible origins for the [Fe ii] medium velocity component in the DG Tau jet. The same disk wind model can also account for the properties of the high-velocity [Fe ii] flow, although alternative origins in magnetospheric and/or stellar winds cannot be excluded for this component.

Context. High-resolution studies of microjets in T Tauri stars (cTTs) reveal key information on the jet collimation and launching mechanism, but only a handful of systems have been mapped so far. Aims. We wish to perform a detailed study of the microjet from the 2 M young star RY Tau, to investigate the influence of its higher stellar mass and claimed close binarity on jet properties. Results. The blueshifted jet is detected within 2 of the central star. We determine its PA, collimation, 2D kinematics, mass-flux rate, ejection to accretion ratio, and transverse velocity shifts taking accurately into account errors due to finite signal to noise ratio. The RY Tau system is shown to provide important constraints to several models of steady MHD ejection. Conclusions. The remarkably similar properties of the RY Tau microjet compared to jets from lower mass cTTs gives support to the common belief that the jet launching mechanism is universal over a broad range of stellar masses. The proximity between the jet PA and the PA of the photocenter variations observed by Hipparcos calls into question the interpretation of the latter in terms of binarity of RY Tau. Partial occultation events of the photosphere may offer an alternative explanation.