Operator algebra seminar

Speaker:  Tron Omland (University of Oslo)

Title: C*-simplicity of free products with amalgamation and radical classes of groups

Abstract: We first discuss C*-simplicity and the unique trace property for discrete groups in light of recent years' development. In particular, we consider amalgamated free products, and give conditions for such to be (and fail to be) C*-simple. Then we define radical and residual classes of groups, and explain that there exists a radical detecting C*-simplicity, in a similar way as the amenable radical detects the unique trace property.

The talk is based on joint work with Nikolay A. Ivanov from Sofia University, Bulgaria.