Diagonal representation of algebraic power series: a glimpse behind the scenes (Q2097081)

Let \(K\) be a field of characteristic zero, \(x=(x_1,\ldots,x_n)\) a vector of \(n\) variables over \(K\) and \(t\) a one variable over \(K\). A formal power series \(h(x)\in K[[x]]\) is called algebraic if there exists a non-zero polynomial \(P(x,t)\in K[x,t]\) such that \(P(x,h(x))=0\). The set of algebraic power series is a ring denoted by \(k\langle x\rangle\). It appears in many mathematical areas, such as combinatorics, algebraic geometry and number theory. In this paper, the author presents an overview of many classical results on the subject. He gives new proofs for some of them and a significant improvements for others. He starts by a discussion about \(k\langle x\rangle\) and gives examples. Then he passes to the notion of Henselization and its connection with \(k\langle x\rangle\), using étale ring maps. He ends the paper by new applications. For the entire collection see [Zbl 1478.11004].