A relatively small number of CCSNe have been observed to exhibit late-time (>100
d) infrared emission from dust over the past 30 years. Since the launch of Spitzer
(and now even Herschel), the community has had the capability to probe supernova-
associated dust at mid- and far-infrared wavelengths. Combined with ground-based
optical and NIR observations, these data have provided strong constraints on the
dust properties. The origin and heating mechanism of the dust, however, can be
ambiguous. Disentangling the various models of dust formation and heating offers
important clues regarding the supernova's circumstellar environment, explosion
mechanism, and even progenitor system. Furthermore, the discovery of significant
amounts of newly formed SN dust would provide the much sought evidence
necessary to confirm SN dust models. In this talk, I will review the various states of
dust observed in the supernova environment and will highlight what the community
has learned from recent discoveries. |