AbstractWe prove that if Γ is an icc irreducible lattice in a product of connected non-compact rank one simple Lie groups with finite center, then the {\mathrm{II}_{1}} factor {L(\Gamma)} is prime. In particular, we deduce that the {\mathrm{II}_{1}} factors associated to the arithmetic groups {\mathrm{PSL}_{2}(\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{d}])} and {\mathrm{PSL}_{2}(\mathbb{Z}[S^{-1}])} are prime for any square-free integer {d\geq 2} with {d\not\equiv 1~{}(\operatorname{mod}\,4)} and any finite non-empty set of primes S.
This provides the first examples of prime {\mathrm{II}_{1}} factors arising from lattices in higher rank semisimple Lie groups.
More generally, we describe all tensor product decompositions of {L(\Gamma)} for icc countable groups Γ that are measure equivalent to a product of non-elementary hyperbolic groups. In particular, we show that {L(\Gamma)} is prime, unless Γ is a product of infinite groups, in which case we prove a unique prime factorization result for {L(\Gamma)}.
The p-approximation property for simple Lie groups with finite center
