Primeness of Generalized Wreath Product von Neumann Algebras

In this talk we'll relate certain properties of discrete
group actions to structural properties of the corresponding crossed
product von Neumann algebras. In particular, we'll investigate the
primeness of generalized wreath product II_1 factors using techniques
from deformation/rigidity theory. We give general conditions relating
tensor decompositions of generalized wreath products to stabilizers of
the associated group action, and use this to find new examples of prime
II_1 factors.