As an introduction we present a
new, elementary and constructive proof of the multisummability properties of formal
solutions of linear ODE’s at irregular singular points. This serves to illustrate the
geometric approach to multisummation. Basic properties of multisums and the
associated sheaves are derived. Next, we study Cauchy-Heine transforms in relation to
multisummation and the Stokes phenomenon. We show how to construct multisums
with a prescribed Stokes phenomenon, using the Malgrange-Sibuya isomorphism.
Starting from the Stokes automorphisms we introduce the alien derivations of J. Ecalle
and derive Ecalle’s bridge equation for the general integral of linear ODE’s. The main
ideas are illustrated with some very simple examples.