Local zero estimates and effective division in rings of algebraic power series

Abstract: We give a necessary condition for algebraicity of finite modules over the ring of formal power series. This condition is given in terms of local zero estimates. In fact we show that this condition is also sufficient when the module is a ring with some additional properties. To prove this result we show an effective Weierstrass Division Theorem and an effective solution to the Ideal Membership Problem in rings of algebraic power series. Finally we apply these results to prove a gap theorem for power series which are remainders of the Grauert-Hironaka-Galligo Division Theorem.