%0 Journal Article
%T EVLA Observations of the Radio Evolution of SN 2011dh
%A M. I. Krauss
%A A. M. Soderberg
%A L. Chomiuk
%A B. A. Zauderer
%A A. Brunthaler
%A M. F. Bietenholz
%A R. A. Chevalier
%A C. Fransson
%A M. Rupen
%J Physics
%D 2012
%I arXiv
%R 10.1088/2041-8205/750/2/L40
%X We report on Expanded Very Large Array (EVLA) observations of the Type IIb supernova 2011dh, performed over the first 100 days of its evolution and spanning 1-40 GHz in frequency. The radio emission is well-described by the self-similar propagation of a spherical shockwave, generated as the supernova ejecta interact with the local circumstellar environment. Modeling this emission with a standard synchrotron self-absorption (SSA) model gives an average expansion velocity of v \approx 0.1c, supporting the classification of the progenitor as a compact star (R_* \approx 10^11 cm). We find that the circumstellar density is consistent with a {\rho} \propto r^-2 profile. We determine that the progenitor shed mass at a constant rate of \approx 3 \times 10^-5 M_\odot / yr, assuming a wind velocity of 1000 km / s (values appropriate for a Wolf-Rayet star), or \approx 7 \times 10^-7 M_\odot / yr assuming 20 km / s (appropriate for a yellow supergiant [YSG] star). Both values of the mass-loss rate assume a converted fraction of kinetic to magnetic energy density of {\epsilon}_B = 0.1. Although optical imaging shows the presence of a YSG, the rapid optical evolution and fast expansion argue that the progenitor is a more compact star - perhaps a companion to the YSG. Furthermore, the excellent agreement of the radio properties of SN 2011dh with the SSA model implies that any YSG companion is likely in a wide, non-interacting orbit.
%U http://arxiv.org/abs/1201.0770v2