Induction of Supernova-like Explosions by Gamma-Ray Bursts in Close Binary Systems

We propose that a gamma-ray burst in one member of a binary may induce a supernova-like explosion of a close, white dwarf companion. Such an explosion might be brought about in rather light companions, which cannot undergo the standard accretion-induced explosion. This would give some supernovae associated with gamma-ray bursts an appearance rather unlike that of the typical Type I supernova. GRB 980425, if indeed associated with SN 1998bw, is too weak to have produced the latter through our proposed mechanism.