We present contemporary infrared (IR) and optical spectra of the plate
au type II SN 1995V in NGC 1087 covering four epochs, approximately 22
to 84 d after shock break-out. The data show, for the first time, the
TR spectroscopic evolution during the plateau phase of a typical type
Il event. In the optical region P Cygni lines of the Balmer series an
d of metals such as Sc II, Fe II, Sr II, Ca II and Ba II lines were id
entified. The TR spectra were largely dominated by the continuum, but
P Cygni Paschen lines and Brackett gamma lines were also clearly seen.
The other prominent IR features are confined to wavelengths blueward
of 11000 Angstrom, and include Sr II 10327, Fe II 10547, C I 10695 and
He I 10830 Angstrom. Helium has never before been unambiguously ident
ified in a type IIp supernova spectrum during the plateau phase, We de
monstrate the presence of He I 10830 Angstrom on days 69 and 85. The p
resence of this line at such late times implies reionization, A likely
reionizing mechanism is gamma-ray deposition following the radioactiv
e decay of Ni-56. We examine this mechanism by constructing a spectral
model for the He I 10830-Angstrom Line based on explosion model s15s7
b2f of Weaver & Woosley. We find that this does not generate the obser
ved line owing to the confinement of the Ni-56 to the central zones of
the ejecta. In order to reproduce the He I line, it was necessary to
introduce additional upward mixing or 'dredge-up' of the Ni-56, with s
imilar to 10(-5) of the total nickel mass reaching above the helium ph
otosphere, In addition, we argue char the He I line formation region i
s likely to have been in the form of pure helium clumps in the hydroge
n envelope. The study of He I 10830-Angstrom emission during the photo
spheric phase of core-collapse supernovae provides a promising tool fo
r the constraint of initial mixing conditions in explosion models.