Variants of the extender algebra and their applications

In the 1970'ies, Bukowský identified a beautiful and handy criterion for when V is a forcing extension of a given inner model, which proved very useful recently in set theoretical geology. In the 1990'ies, Woodin isolated his extender algebra which makes use of a large cardinal, a Woodin cardinal. It turns out that Bukowský's theorem and Woodin's extender algebra may be presented in a uniform fashion - one proof and one forcing gives both results. We will present the proof and then discuss its application in inner model theoretic geology. This is joint work with Grigor Sargsyan and Farmer Schlutzenberg.