A new approach to the theory of anisotropic exciton based on Fock
transformation, i.e., on a stereographic projection of the momentum to the unit
4-dimensional (4D) sphere, is developed. Hyperspherical functions are used as a
basis of the perturbation theory. The binding energies, wave functions and
oscillator strengths of elongated as well as flattened excitons are obtained
numerically. It is shown that with an increase of the anisotropy degree the
oscillator strengths are markedly redistributed between optically active and
formerly inactive states, making the latter optically active. An approximate
analytical solution of the anisotropic exciton problem taking into account the
angular momentum conserving terms is obtained. This solution gives the binding
energies of moderately anisotropic exciton with a good accuracy and provides a
useful qualitative description of the energy level evolution.Comment: 23 pages, 8 figure